Hublot is a Swiss watch brand, based in Geneva, which was founded in 1980. In 2003, the then-president of Omega, Jean Claude Biver, joined the board of Hublot, with the aim of creating a flagship watch range. Under his guidance, the Hublot Big Bang model was launched in 2005, and as a result of its innovative design, with screw-down strap mounts, modular 'bolted' case, and bolted bezel, it won several awards during that year, including "Design of the Year" at the Geneva watchmaking awards, alongside "Sports Watch of the Year".

The Big Bang immediately became a great success, with orders tripling in the first year of production. A testament to its success is that Hublot still sells the Big Bang Model to this day. The nearest equivalent to this watch currently available, the Big Bang Original 'Black Magic' retails for £14,500—indeed, Sapphire Tourbillion models retail for up to a staggering £475k.

Over the years, there have been an enormous number of sponsorships, ranging from the Ferrari Formula One team and the Swiss Oceanographic Confederation to the Athens Archaeological Museum UEFA & FIFA official partners for Championship finals . That's in addition to its host of brand ambassadors, including Usain Bolt, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Jose Mourinho, Pele, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. It's little wonder that they've set Hublot as one of the most prestigious brands in Swiss watchmaking. 

This particular Hublot Big Bang Chronograph was launched in 2006 and really is quite special. It's an early production Limited Edition model (1 of just 250 produced worldwide). It's often nicknamed the "Big Bang Frappuccino Chronograph," referring to its dual colour scheme of Black and Chocolate brown.

This watch is limited edition number 232/250 Worldwide (as engraved on the watch back) and has a 27-Jewel Automatic Swiss movement (Hublot Calibre HUB4100), which Hublot developed with a Chronograph function, sweeping seconds, minutes, and hours sub dials, a date aperture between 4 and 5 o'clock, and a sub seconds dial at 9 o'clock.

The lozenge-shaped chronograph pushers (buttons) are mounted alongside the triple-function 'H' signed, knurled crown.

The semi-skeletonised hands are coated in a 'SuperLumiNova' type of fluorescent material, making them visible in low-light conditions.

The Hublot Calibre HUB4100 movement (27 Jewels and signed "H") can be seen through the sapphire glass 'exhibition' back, offering a truly beguiling glimpse into pure craftsmanship in motion. The movement is simply amongst the finest in the world, and when the watch is moved, the Skeletonised "Hublot Geneve" marked flywheel can be seen spinning while it automatically winds the  movement, which drives the balance wheel. Check out the video to see what we mean!

The watch has a fashionably large (44mm diameter, 14.5mm thickness), Ceramic and Titanium case (serial number 638643), and a brown rubber strap bolted to the case with titanium "H" fixing screws. The rubber strap is versatile in size, as it's adjustable between 18 and 23 cm wrist circumferences, and has a black anodised stainless steel folding clasp, featuring engraved "Hublot Geneve" and fixed with "H" screws.

The watch has a polished black ceramic bezel (screwed down with six "H" headed titanium screws), a brown stamped carbon fibre weave effect face behind a sapphire crystal glass (with anti-reflective coating). The face is marked "Swiss Made" at 6 o'clock. The case is gloss black ceramic, combined with brushed black Titanium, bolted together with Titanium fixings. The face has baton hour markers alternating with Arabic numerals. It has subsidiary dials at 3, 6 and 9, and date aperture between 4 and 5.

The Chronograph runs for up to 12 hours, and the large red 'sweeping' hand represents chrono seconds. It is started and stopped with the top right pusher button.

The 30-minute chrono sub dial is at 3 o'clock, and the 12-hour chrono sub dial (graduated in 30-minute segments) is at 6 o'clock. Once stopped, the Chronograph is zeroed with the bottom right pusher button. The 9 o'clock sub dial is the main watch time sweeping seconds display.

The hands are part skeletonised stainless steel, inlaid with SuperLumiNova type pigment for low-light visibility. The red Chronograph seconds 'sweep' hand is finished with a signature 'H' at its base. This watch model is water resistant to 100M (10 atmospheres), but the owner has never used it while swimming or diving, so I would recommend testing beforehand.

The watch is fully functioning, and we're told that the vendor has worn it only very occasionally during his long-term custodianship. As a result, it's in excellent order, with only a few minor marks to the case and lower clasp, which are barely visible with the naked eye. The rubber strap also remains in very good condition.

Accompanying the watch is a Hublot box set, which contains the owner's manual and International warranty card in its base. Together with the outer box set is the inner wooden box, which is in fair condition but shows some scratches to its top and a minor repair to the exterior lower front area, (to rectify a delamination of the veneer which occured during long-term storage). The interior of the box is in excellent order.
 

Due to the value of the watch, the vendor would prefer collection in person in Kent, UK, but is prepared to meet the buyer around the South East London area if required. They are also prepared to courier the watch anywhere in the world requested by the buyer, but at the buyer's cost, responsibility and liability from the point of collection by the buyer's courier company.

BEFORE YOU BUY 

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following: 

✓ If the seller is registered as a private seller, consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not apply. Car & Classic’s return policy applies. 

✓ A non-refundable deposit will be payable if you are the winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for details. 

✓ Buyers are responsible for delivery. P&P is to be paid to the seller privately at the buyers expense, unless alternative arrangements are agreed between buyer and seller. 

✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.