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‘When in doubt, wear red’: The Hublot Big Bang MP-11 Red Magic is an eclectic dose of visual ecstasy

‘When in doubt, wear red’: The Hublot Big Bang MP-11 Red Magic is an eclectic sense of visual ecstasy

When in doubt, wear red’: The Hublot Big Bang MP-11 Red Magic is an eclectic dose of visual ecstasy

Are you a gambling person? Have you ever hit the slots at the casino? 

You may or you may not have but here’s the thing. Usually, when one goes to the casino, there is a sense of excitement, even if one isn’t playing (just for the record, we neither support nor condone anyone’s views on gambling). Then you look at the slots, and the colourful, almost cheerful sense of mystery tempts you.

There is a certain thing about the spinning mechanism that seems to unfold as it moves. I get the same feeling when I look at the new Hublot Big Bang MP-11 Red Magic and the barrels on its dial. 

Big Bang MP-11 Red Magic
© 2018 HUBLOT – ALL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS RESERVED

The Context 

The first-ever LVMH Dubai Watch Week has recently passed us in January, and Hublot has yet again not shied away from producing what one can simply say to be an eye candy. 

Hublot seems to be hellbent (the expression especially works here given this is another fiery red watch) on becoming a Haute Horlogerie brand with a visionary future. 

It has come to be synonymous with cutting-edge expertise, and every watch they are producing seems to be guided by their philosophy to “Be First, Different and Unique”.

What’s new about a red watch from Hublot, you may ask? 

And it would be fair question given this comes after the release of the then unique (and revolutionary in terms of materials used) Big Bang Unico Red Magic from 2018. 

The straight answer is yes, it is different even though it follows the design architecture we have come to expect from the Big Bang lineup that first turned heads in 2005 and has since established the brand’s DNA.

Big Bang MP-11 Red Magic
© 2018 HUBLOT – ALL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS RESERVED

Hot Rod Red 

The case is made of that bright red high-tech ceramic introduced by Hublot earlier. 

The brand seems to be in love with the colour, going for the passion and power look that it adds to the watches. 

Mix ‘n’ Match 

The Big Bang MP-11 Red Magic comes replete with a few distinctive elements that work in its favour.

– The case and bezel are fully polished and offer a distinctive contrast with the iconic H-shaped screws of the Big Bang in black titanium. 

– The crown and the strap both compliment each other, both in black rubber. 

Big Bang MP-11 Red Magic
© 2018 HUBLOT – ALL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS RESERVED

The Movement 

The 2020 Big Bang MP-11 Red Magic (reference 911.CF.0113.RX ) has a manual-winding, skeleton power-reserve manufacture movement with 7 Series-coupled barrels and power reserve display roll — HUB9011 — comprised of 270 components & beating at the frequency of 4Hz (28’000 A/h) allowing for an exceptionally generous 14-day power reserve.

The case and bezel are both polished red ceramic with the bezel topped with 6 H-shaped black-plated Titanium screws. 

The construction of the movement can be admired through the transparent dial, and it is this movement look that I was referring to when I talked about slots at a casino. 

Big Bang MP-11 Red Magic
© 2018 HUBLOT – ALL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS RESERVED

The Dial 

Visually there is too much going on with the dial face. It is busy as anything, but Hublot manages to make it aesthetically pleasing. 

They start creating an aesthetic balance by symmetrically positioning the anthracite ruthenium helical gear at 2’o clock. 

Then there is a sense of depth and surface play that brings in a very three-dimensional aspect to the watch. This is something that has to be seen in person to be truly appreciated and if Hublot hadn’t introduced this 3D architecture to the watch, it would just have been insanely busy and too complex to read or appreciate. 

Big Bang MP-11 Red Magic
© 2018 HUBLOT – ALL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS RESERVED

Watch Ya Gonna Do About It

Something unique to Hublot is their signature style of fusing different materials together to create this eclectic sense of ecstasy when one looks at their watches. 

But this element of fusion is not the only thing new or different about this watch. The true charm of this watch lies in the movement and how the dial looks as a result of it.

The HUB9011 movement is notable for its patented index-assembly system, its silicon escapement and its black platinum bridges. 

Re-inventing horological performance, the movement offers an amazing power reserve of 14 days. That’s a fortnight’s worth of juice right there in this baby.

Big Bang MP-11 Red Magic
© 2018 HUBLOT – ALL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS RESERVED

This skeletonised movement’s extensive power reserve is achieved via seven series-coupled barrels and the designers have used a 90-degree helical worm gear to enable energy to be transmitted between the horizontal barrel arbor and the vertical gears controlling the hour and minute display. It’s all a bit too technical for someone just looking to buy another watch, but hey, here-in lies the beauty of fine watchmaking. It should not always be about just the dial, it’s also got to be about the heart that makes these watches tick.

This movement, however, does end up producing sort of bumps and lumps on the dial face. Some might feel it looks like a fancy G-Shock. Others might feel it is like a vintage car’s odometer. But that’s okay. This is obviously not to be worn with a suit and cufflinks coming in chunky at 44mm case size and 14.40mm thickness. 

It’s a fun, bold statement piece.

Yes, I still agree the odd look and the heft of the dial can be troublesome to some, but it’s the price of the tradeoff you pay for wearing something everyone else is wearing or flashing something very different. 

It’s a very collectable statement piece, being made available in only 100 pieces.

I say if red is your colour and you can afford it, go for it.

After all, the American fashion designer Bill Blass once said: “When in doubt, wear red”. 

For more information on this and other Hublot watches, head to the Hublot website here.

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