Does Hublot use in-house movements?

Yes and no. Hublot's UNICO chronograph (HUB1240/1280) is a genuine in-house movement with 354 components and 72-hour power reserve: it's a serious caliber. However, many entry-level and older Big Bang models use the HUB4100 (based on ETA/Valjoux 7753), and Classic Fusion models use the HUB1100 (based on Sellita SW300). The in-house vs sourced distinction matters for both horological credibility and resale value.

What is Hublot King Gold?

King Gold is Hublot's proprietary 18K rose gold alloy. It contains a higher percentage of platinum compared to standard rose gold, which gives it a warmer, more saturated color and better resistance to tarnishing and fading over time. It's a legitimate metallurgical innovation. Not just marketing.

What is Hublot Magic Gold?

Magic Gold is a scratch-resistant 18K gold alloy developed by Hublot in partnership with EPFL (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology). It fuses gold with ceramic through sintering at extreme pressure and temperature, creating an 18K gold that is virtually unscratchable. It's one of the genuine material innovations that separates Hublot from competitors.

Can I buy a Hublot Big Bang at Ultimate Diamond in NYC?

Yes. Ultimate Diamond on 47th Street in NYC's Diamond District carries pre-owned and grey-market Hublot Big Bang, Classic Fusion, and Spirit of Big Bang models. We authenticate every piece, offer competitive pricing below grey-market averages, and provide the straight talk on value that you won't get at an AD. Walk-ins welcome.

Is a Hublot Big Bang a good investment?

No. Hublot Big Bang watches typically depreciate 30-55% from retail on the secondary market. Unlike Rolex or Patek Philippe, Hublot lacks the heritage and scarcity dynamics that drive value appreciation. The brand was founded in 1980, produces at high volume, and releases numerous 'limited editions' that dilute exclusivity. Buy a Big Bang because you love wearing it, not as a financial instrument.

How can you tell if a Hublot Big Bang is fake?

Check the H-shaped bezel screws first: genuine ones are deeply cut, polished, and perfectly aligned, while fakes are shallow and dull. Weigh the watch: genuine Big Bangs are heavy. Inspect the ceramic bezel for scratches (real ceramic doesn't scratch easily). Verify the serial number with Hublot directly. Examine dial printing for crispness. Test chronograph pushers for precise operation. Always get professional authentication for purchases over $5,000.

What is the difference between Hublot Big Bang and Classic Fusion?

The Big Bang is bold, multi-layered, and features a chronograph with sub-dials: it's the aggressive sports watch. The Classic Fusion is cleaner, thinner, with a simpler dial: it's the dress watch. Both share the same design DNA (H-screws, rubber strap integration, porthole case), but the Classic Fusion is more wearable daily and significantly cheaper on the pre-owned market ($3,500-$6,000 vs $7,500-$25,000+).

Why do Hublot watches lose value?

Five factors: (1) Young brand (founded 1980) without centuries of heritage. (2) High production volumes and frequent 'limited editions' that paradoxically reduce exclusivity. (3) Early models used off-the-shelf ETA movements in watches priced well above competitors using the same calibers. (4) Trend-driven designs that can feel dated when fashions shift. (5) High retail markups that create significant grey-market discounts from day one.

How much is a used Hublot Big Bang worth?

A pre-owned Hublot Big Bang 301.SX.130.RX (original steel chronograph) typically trades between $7,500 and $12,000 with box and papers. A Big Bang Unico in King Gold (441.OX) ranges from $16,000-$28,000. Classic Fusion titanium models trade from $3,500-$6,000. Condition, completeness of set, and service history significantly impact value. Expect to pay 40-55% below original retail.

Hublot Big Bang & Classic Fusion: The Unvarnished Truth from 47th Street

Launched in 2005 under Jean-Claude Biver, the Hublot Big Bang fused rubber with precious metals, ceramic with titanium, and celebrity culture with Swiss manufacturing. The original Ref. 301.SX ran a modified ETA 7750 (HUB4100); current production uses the in-house UNICO (HUB1280) with flyback chronograph, column wheel, and 72-hour reserve. LVMH acquired the brand in 2008 for approximately 500 million euros. The Big Bang, Classic Fusion, and tonneau-shaped Spirit of Big Bang account for the majority of Hublot sales. Secondary market values run 30 to 55% below retail across the range. Material innovations (Magic Gold, King Gold, sapphire crystal cases) are genuine technical achievements. The brand polarizes collectors but its commercial footprint is undeniable.

We can source this

3 references we can source through our network.

Big Bang · Source It Big Bang · Source It Big Bang · Source It

Specifications

BrandHublot

Parent CompanyLVMH (acquired 2008)

CollectionsBig Bang, Classic Fusion, Spirit of Big Bang

Price Range$5,000-$250,000+ (standard production)

Movement TypesAutomatic chronograph (HUB4100/ETA base), UNICO in-house chronograph (HUB1280), Automatic time-only (HUB1100)

Case Size32mm-45mm depending on collection and variant

Water Resistance50m-100m depending on model

Crystal TypeSapphire with anti-reflective coating

SignatureH-shaped titanium screws on bezel, porthole-inspired case architecture, natural rubber strap integration

History

Hublot was founded in 1980 by Italian watchmaker Carlo Crocco in Geneva, Switzerland. The name means 'porthole' in French, a reference to the distinctive case shape. Crocco's original sin was putting a rubber strap on a gold watch, which got him blacklisted from Baselworld's establishment halls. The brand limped along as a niche curiosity until Jean-Claude Biver arrived in 2004 and detonated the Big Bang in 2005. LVMH acquired Hublot in 2008 for an estimated €500 million.

Iconic References

Buying Guide

• Statement-piece enthusiasts who want a bold, modern luxury watch
• Fans of material innovation and contemporary design language
• Buyers who prioritize wearing enjoyment over investment return
• Sports and celebrity culture enthusiasts
• Second or third watch buyers looking for something different from Rolex/Omega
• Buyers who can get 40-55% off retail by purchasing pre-owned

Pricing & Market Data

Retail MSRP

bigBangOriginalSteel301SX$13,300 (original retail, now discontinued in favor of UNICO)

bigBangUnicoTitanium$20,400 (2025 Original Unico)

bigBangUnicoKingGold$39,600 (2025 Original Unico King Gold)

classicFusionTitanium45mm$7,500-$7,900

spiritOfBigBangCeramic$27,400

spiritOfBigBangKingGold42mm$31,200+

Pre-Owned Market

bigBangSteel301SX preOwned$7,500-$12,000

bigBangUnicoKingGold preOwned$16,000-$28,000

classicFusionTitanium preOwned$3,500-$6,000

spiritOfBigBangKingGold preOwned$18,000-$30,000

Market Trajectory

Stable to slowly declining. Hublot is fighting the perception battle. The brand makes genuinely innovative watches with interesting materials and credible in-house movements, but the secondary market hasn't rewarded that. Expect continued 30-55% depreciation from retail for the foreseeable future.

Investment Grade

D+ (Big Bang), D (Classic Fusion), C- (UNICO King Gold limited editions)

Best Value Pick

511.NX.1170.RX (Classic Fusion Titanium), a legitimately well-made watch from a major brand for under $4,000 pre-owned. Dollar-for-dollar, it's one of the best values in luxury watches if you don't care about resale.

Comparisons

Cultural Significance

Collector's Lore

The Big Bang has a love-it-or-hate-it reputation in the watch world. Purists dismiss it as overpriced fashion; fans celebrate it as the most exciting thing to happen to Swiss watchmaking since the quartz crisis. Jean-Claude Biver, the man who saved Blancpain from extinction and then turbocharged Hublot,is a genuine industry legend whose marketing genius is responsible for the brand's meteoric rise. The 'Art of Fusion' philosophy was initially mocked ('rubber on gold? sacrilege!') but became the template for modern luxury disruption. Carlo Crocco, who came up with the concept in 1980, was actually ahead of his time by 25 years. The Hublot community is fiercely loyal and tends to be younger, more diverse, and more connected to sports/music culture than traditional watch circles. In the Diamond District, Big Bangs are the single most-offered luxury watch after Rolex, which tells you both how popular they are and how quickly they hit the secondary market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Guides

Direct Comparison

Audemars Piguet Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore: The Beast That Conquered the World

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore, Reference 25721ST, debuted at Baselworld in 1993 as a 42mm, rubber-pushered expa...

Read guide →

Direct Comparison

Omega Speedmaster Chronoscope

The Omega Speedmaster Chronoscope is the watch that put three vintage measuring scales back on a modern Speedmaster and ...

Read guide →

Direct Comparison

Rolex Rolex Cosmograph Daytona

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, introduced in 1963 and named for Rolex's association with the Daytona International Speedw...

Read guide →

Same Brand

Hublot Hublot Classic Fusion

The Classic Fusion returns to Carlo Crocco's founding 1980 concept: a porthole-bezel watch with integrated rubber strap,...

Read guide →

Same Brand

Hublot Hublot MP Collection

Hublot's extreme-complication laboratory, producing mechanical sculptures in runs of 20 to 50 pieces. The MP-05 LaFerrar...

Read guide →

Same Brand

Hublot Hublot Spirit of Big Bang

Hublot's first tonneau (barrel-shaped) case, introduced in 2014 as an alternative silhouette to the round Big Bang. Reta...

Read guide →

Own a Hublot?

We buy Hublot watches at competitive prices. Fast payment, no obligation quote.

Get a quote →Browse Hublot inventory →