Hublot masters sapphire craftsmanship with new Big Bang Sapphire Sky Blue

Hublot demonstrates its mastery in crafting timepieces from sapphire with the introduction of the new Big Bang Sapphire Sky Blue. Producing watch cases from this material presents significant manufacturing challenges, beginning with the creation of the sapphire crystal itself.

The process involves heating aluminum oxide powder in specialized chambers to over 2,000 degrees Celsius. This molten material then interacts with tiny fragments of real sapphire, known as a "seed crystal," placed on a ceramic base. The liquid solidifies, mirroring the seed crystal's chemical structure. This meticulous growth process can take weeks to yield a solid cylinder ready for machining into watch cases.

Further complexity arises from sapphire's extreme hardness, rating 9 on the Mohs scale, which necessitates specialized tools like fine steel wires coated with diamond powder for cutting. Hublot enhances its sapphire creations by incorporating metals like chromium or iron during the melting phase to achieve various colorations, as seen in the translucent sky-blue hue of the Big Bang Sapphire Sky Blue.

This new model features both the case and bezel sculpted from this distinctive sky-blue sapphire. The bezel is secured by six signature "H" titanium screws. The watch's skeletonized movement, inspired by Meccano construction toys, reveals intricate components such as the balance wheel, hairspring, and gear train through the front and back. The Meca-10 caliber boasts an impressive 240-hour power reserve, supported by two barrels, with bridges and plates treated with a matte sky-blue PVD finish to complement the case.