Comments:
The rose gold case is imposing but the black rubber accents break this up and complement the dial. I am partial to skeletonised dials and the Unico chronograph movement, as the first ‘in house’ movement from Hublot interested me. There is some interesting engineering in the Unico as well including horizontal direct coupling of the minute counter as well as the chronograph. The seconds hack to facilitate time setting.
Hublot manage to make the watch legible because of the gold hands and accents. The date is not that easy to read, but the information is there when you need it. The column wheel for the flyback chronograph is visible at the 6 o’clock position, so you can enjoy playing with the chunky rubber-capped pushers. The 60-minute elapsed chronograph counter at 3 o’clock is a useful indicator on a chronograph.
Andrew
The sound may drive you crazy. Especially if there is no sound in the background to mask the loud ticking.
Hublot Big Bang King Power Unico
The Hublot Big Bang King Power Unico ... at least I think that’s what it is – I wandered into a Hublot Boutique and pointed at the watch that caught my eye. I am not a ‘big watch’ guy but I was interested to know if I could carry off a 48mm watch (and one that is also 17.6mm thick and weighs 161g). But actually it felt surprisingly good on my wrist. The rubber strap was comfortable and grippy and was balanced with the characteristic Hublot deployant.
The rose gold case is imposing but the black rubber accents break this up and complement the dial. I am partial to skeletonised dials and the Unico chronograph movement, as the first ‘in house’ movement from Hublot interested me. There is some interesting engineering in the Unico as well including horizontal direct coupling of the minute counter as well as the chronograph. The seconds hack to facilitate time setting.
Hublot manage to make the watch legible because of the gold hands and accents. The date is not that easy to read, but the information is there when you need it. The column wheel for the flyback chronograph is visible at the 6 o’clock position, so you can enjoy playing with the chunky rubber-capped pushers. The 60-minute elapsed chronograph counter at 3 o’clock is a useful indicator on a chronograph.
There are plenty of design flourishes that make a Hublot identifiable across a crowded room. There are many watch companies that would envy this. And the design extends to the micro level as well – the H-shaped bezel screws are just one example.
This is not a watch for me, but I can see the attraction – the Big Bang King Power Unico has a lot of wrist presence and some horological credentials inside.
Andrew
Good Points, Looks Good
Hi Andrew,
I think you pull it off just fine, plus the black/gold combo is killer if you're going to colored gold route.
The entire notion of the King Power is that it should look big on the wrist of almost any user...
...and if it doesn't, congratulations, you're Shaq!
In all seriousness, the key to these big Hublots isn't so much whether it looks big as whether it feels good on the wrist. I think this is the real strength of Hublot's design team. Whereas other watchmakers build big watches for those who like and can wear them, Hublot seems to have put a great deal of thought into making truly huge watches wearable for those who want to wear this style of watch. I know quite a few folks who would have bought Offshores back in the day but were put off by how they felt on the wrist; the 44mm Offshore in particular wears like a clock.
My wrist is about 16cm/6.4in, and the 44mm Offshore is unwearable to me, but I've tried a few Big Bangs and found them agreeable. The style isn't for me, but I respect that Hublot really seems to studied the ergonomic equation.
How did you feel about the operation of the UNICO? Was the unit you experienced reasonably smooth to cycle, crisp at the pushers, and free of seconds hand play?
Best,
Tim
I think you pull it off just fine, plus the black/gold combo is killer if you're going to colored gold route.
The entire notion of the King Power is that it should look big on the wrist of almost any user...
...and if it doesn't, congratulations, you're Shaq!
In all seriousness, the key to these big Hublots isn't so much whether it looks big as whether it feels good on the wrist. I think this is the real strength of Hublot's design team. Whereas other watchmakers build big watches for those who like and can wear them, Hublot seems to have put a great deal of thought into making truly huge watches wearable for those who want to wear this style of watch. I know quite a few folks who would have bought Offshores back in the day but were put off by how they felt on the wrist; the 44mm Offshore in particular wears like a clock.
My wrist is about 16cm/6.4in, and the 44mm Offshore is unwearable to me, but I've tried a few Big Bangs and found them agreeable. The style isn't for me, but I respect that Hublot really seems to studied the ergonomic equation.
How did you feel about the operation of the UNICO? Was the unit you experienced reasonably smooth to cycle, crisp at the pushers, and free of seconds hand play?
Best,
Tim
These are large, dominating watches ...
... and you are absolutely right, Tim - Hublot have managed to engineer and balance the watch in such a way that it can be worn comfortably. The short integrated lugs help and it is a very smart design.
Unfortunately I can comment with any authority on the pusher feel and chronograph operation. My recollection was that it was quite a notchy feel, but I didn't play with it for long, nor concentrate on that aspect. It was more an exploration of size and comfort on this Boutique visit.
What has been your experience with the function of the Unico movement?
And thanks for the great comments.
Regards,
Andrew
A Similar Impression
Hi Andrew,
My impression of the UNICO has been similar to yours. On the one hand, it's true that the feel is what you describe as notchy. The pushers definitely won't win any prizes for supple engagement, but I will note that the start, stop, and reset functions were executed with total precision.
On the models I've sampled, I observed no "jumping" of the seconds hand when starting, no "stagger" when stopped, and no imprecise alignment with 12 upon resetting. Functionally, the movement delivers as advertized.
Best,
Tim
My impression of the UNICO has been similar to yours. On the one hand, it's true that the feel is what you describe as notchy. The pushers definitely won't win any prizes for supple engagement, but I will note that the start, stop, and reset functions were executed with total precision.
On the models I've sampled, I observed no "jumping" of the seconds hand when starting, no "stagger" when stopped, and no imprecise alignment with 12 upon resetting. Functionally, the movement delivers as advertized.
Best,
Tim
Nice, honest review, Andrew!
... and welcome to Hublot forum 
Thanks for sharing your experience with King Power Unico. Yes, it doesn't "wear" big and it agrees with my wrist, unlike other brands' BIG ones.
Thanks again!
Best,
Ken
Nice!
Nice review Andrew, I actually am a big fan if this model even though I am not normally a fan of gold watches. I think it is the colour of the King Gold and the combination with the darke skeletonised dial, all very cool looking. I have considered getting one a few times, it is a solid weight in gold!
Cheers
Andrew
PS looks good on your wrist!!
Very nice watch but...
The sound may drive you crazy. Especially if there is no sound in the background to mask the loud ticking.
Interesting observation
I was in a noisy Boutique and didn't pick up on the sound.
But actually I like the sound of ticking mechanical watches. It's rather soothing and therapeutic. Although my wife has complained in the past about a ticking pocket watch on our bedside table. Some watches, like the F.P.Journe tourbillon, are really quite loud and you can hear it on your wrist.
Do you find the Uniclo escapement relatively loud?
Andrew