Bund straps were originally invented to be used by German pilots during World War II to prevent the watch cases from freezing or searing the wearer’s skin at high altitudes or in the event of a cockpit fire. Along with supplying yet another link to history, this manner of strap also perfectly complements a bronze watch to avoid oxidization turning the wearer’s skin green, though Hublot have catered to those wishing to replace the strap with a non-Bund alternative by fabricating the caseback from black ceramic. Another strap (not pictured) is also contained and easily interchangeable thanks to Hublot’s “One Click” attachment method, which offers a slightly dressier look in “altsalzburg” (black-brown) colored deer leather with oak leaf embroidery. The buckle is made of black PVD titanium using a brushed bronze deployant clasp insert, giving a modern touch to an otherwise old-world aesthetic.The size of the Hublot Big Bang Bavaria is going to be a sticking point for some. Hublot’s Big Bang watches wear quite large with their 45mm instances, and the Bund design strap makes this model appear even bigger on the wrist. That said the bull leather being used here was meticulously hand-worked by the craftsmen at Meindl to attain a velvety soft feel and help it wear more smoothly. This piece also offers a strong vintage vibe and a real link with Bavarian history, which should appeal to lovers of German culture or anyone looking to emphasise their Lederhosen into the extreme for Oktoberfest or any Bavarian-themed event. The Hublot Big Bang Bavaria is being provided at a limited edition run of 100 pieces, with a price of $27,900.
Hublot marks the 10th anniversary of the Big Bang alongside Singapore’s 50th year of independence with a pop-up store in the heart of the Orchard Road shopping district in the city state, together with a pair of limited edition chronographs.
Open from August 16, 2015, the Hublot pop-up store in Singapore is its largest ever, comprising some 1050 square metres. It’s dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the Big Bang, the wristwatch that revived the brand, and also SG50 – the 50 years since Singapore became independent in 1965. Making its debut alongside the opening of the pop-up store is the Red Dot Bang, a pair of limited editions created specially for the occasion. Inspired by the nickname coined by an Indonesian politician (as in the “little red dot” on the map), the Red Dot Bang is a 44mm limited edition created for the pop-up store, available in Hublonium (a lightweight alloy of magnesium and aluminium) or yellow gold. The “10” on the dial of the Red Dot Bang is in red, signifying the 10th anniversary of the watch. The Red Dot Bang in Hublonium is limited to 50 pieces priced at S$36,600, while the yellow gold Red Dot Bang is limited to just 10 pieces with a price tag of S$66,400.
The Hublot pop-up store is open from August 16 to 26, 2015, from 10am to 9pm, at the Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza.
