The creative partnership between Swiss luxury watchmaker Hublot and designer Dr Samuel Ross has just kicked off its latest chapter. Adorned in micro-blasted titanium, the new Big Bang Tourbillon SR_A exists at a purposeful crossroads between the industrial and organic. This lightweight stunner comes to us on the heels of a limited-edition predecessor but also a three-year engineering process. It puts an eye-popping twist on Hublot‘s flagship range and combines delirious visual detail with a minimalist spirit and robust functionality.
When bringing the Big Bang Tourbillon SR_A to life, artist and designer Ross drew upon everything from the geometric patterns found in nature to modern sculpture. It injects Hublot’s signature hexagonal design with layers of additional detail and makes reference to the origins of the Art of Fusion philosophy in its mix of rubber and manufactured metal. The end goal was to cultivate a subtle study in contrasts and a purity of expression within a lightweight and functional framework. Mission accomplished.
“We are focused on crafting refined, minimal and expressive timepieces,” said Ross. “SR_A, looks to expand, redefine and establish timeless icons of design, reflecting a spirit of innovation, optimism and craft. I firmly believe we need all three properties to usher in the next chapter of luxury.”
With its hexagonal honeycomb shape, the Big Bang Tourbillon SR_A captures an essence of the natural world while falling effortlessly in line with Hublot’s overarching aesthetic. True to Ross’ own intentions, the limited-edition piece is equal parts durable, functional, lightweight, and mind-blowing.
It’s also slim by design and meant to be worn, conjuring a sense of motion through its myriad of details and open-worked display of moving parts, namely the Manufacture HUB6035 calibre with a tourbillon mechanism and 72-hour power reserve.
As a continuation of the partnership between Hublot and Ross, the new Big Bang Tourbillon SR_A makes subtle departures from its iconic predecessor. Micro-blasted titanium adorns all the case components and also extends to the clasp, which features a Hublot logo.
Ross also dials up the grey monochrome aesthetic by way of tasteful colour variations, such as the over-moulding of grey rubber on the crown. The tourbillon bridge—visible through the transparent case window—has similarly been reimagined in a neutral shade so as to blend seamlessly with one of three rubber straps (in black, white, or neon green).
The Big Bang Tourbillon SR_A joins a long list of Ross’ achievements. The British artist and designer is not only behind the cult fashion label A-COLD-WALL*, but his namesake studio works in the respective fields of industrial design, artistic installations, architecture, furniture, sound, sculpture, and more. So it’s no surprise that his latest piece for Hublot bursts with expressive detail and delivers an expert balance of contrasts between materials and concepts alike.
As with the previous collaboration between Hublot and Ross—the 44mm Big Bang Tourbillon Samuel Ross from 2022—the new release will be limited to just 50 pieces, provided you’ve got the dough. This stunning piece of horological endeavour is priced at 120,000CHF (roughly AUD$190,000). Pony up and prepare to turn heads. Big Bang baby!
Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon SR_A by Dr Samuel Ross
- Brand: Hublot
- Model: Big Bang Tourbillon SR_A
- Reference: ref.428.NX.0101.RX.SRA23
- Movement: HUB6035 Manufacture, self-winding micro-rotor, skeleton tourbillon
- Diameter: 44mm
- Thickness: 13.75mm
- Power Reserve: 72 hours
- Availability: Limited to 50 pieces worldwide
- Price: 120,000CHF (roughly AUD$190,000)
