Review Hublot Big Bang Sang Bleu II Ceramic Chronograph Replica
Hublot Big Bang Sang Bleu II ceramic chronograph replica 418.EX.5107.RX.MXM21 is my favorite 2021 luxury watch release. There is a reason behind the madness. Although the core aesthetics of all Hublot Sang Bleu watch collections are the same, the designs of tattoo artist Maxime Plescia-Büchi still have the power of shock/repulsion/impression.
Design
The Hublot Sang Bleu II limited edition chronograph replica brings together the world of haute horology and abstract art. It is the result of a relationship between Hublot and Maxime Plescia-Büchi, a self-described "tattooist" from Switzerland. His studio and creative agency, Sang Bleu, includes a magazine that explores fine art, fashion, sociology, kink culture, and tattoo culture. On top of that, the studio even dabbles in typeface. They've also worked on logos for fashion house Balenciaga and even the City of Stockholm, but perhaps a touchpoint familiar to American audiences is that Maxime Plescia-Büchi has tattooed Kanye West with the birthdays of his daughter and mother.
Case & Dial
The 45mm case has been treated to a transformation featuring bevels, angles, and alternating polished and satin-finished surfaces. This Hublot Big Bang watch replica comes in two materials: titanium and King Gold. King Gold is Hublot's proprietary formula that's a tad richer than standard gold. There's a bit of red in it, and it takes to polishing quite well. There will be 200 made in titanium and 100 made in King Gold.
The main color featured on the watch is the very blue associated with Sang Bleu. In a 2016 interview with Something Curated, Plescia-Büchi explained the concept behind the tone of blue.
"Sang Bleu, meaning 'blue blood' in French, was really born from the idea of exposing this intersection of cultures in a way I thought made sense. Blue blood is symbolic of nobility, and the word play with blue ink and blood is almost accidental. The idea of referencing nobility was really a statement about contemporary culture. A culture where traditional values such as 'high' or 'noble' and then 'sub' or 'vile' or 'popular' don't apply anymore. Young people have a transversal and holistic perception of culture."
The only other watch that I've seen that compares in terms of dial color is the Sinn U1 B, and while the color is very similar, it's perceived very differently on the wrist. With its angular case shape and geometrically adorned dial, it feels much more like a mystical talisman offering protection from evil spirits or a piece of technology from a civilization far into the future or past than a modern watch.
The latticework hands are the defining feature of the watch's aesthetic. They're an interesting exercise in geometry and design, and they're derived from a Sang Bleu tattoo design. The triangular motif appears throughout the tattoo work the studio in London has done. Pushing the large hands around the dial is Hublot's Unico HUB1240.
Material is removed from portions of the dial so that the chronograph hands appear to be floating above the exposed bits of the chronograph module placed on top of the HUB1240 – but the "hands" are more like latticework discs that mirror the motif established with the hands and case. Even the rotor follows this theme. Again, there are triangles laden with lume on the chronograph discs that serve as a visual indicator.
There's a lot of depth to take in with this watch replica. Complex elements exist on different planes, and it's 16.5mm tall, which makes peering down to the exposed elements of the movement a visual journey. To me, this is the essence of the watch. Being able to find new details every time it's observed.
Summary
The Hublot Sang Bleu II replica utilizes a HUB1240 automatic chronograph caliber with a 72-hour power reserve. Both King Gold and Titanium models come in a 45mm case. The King Gold is limited to 100 pieces and it's priced at $47,300. The Titanium version will see 200 examples and is priced at $25,200.
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