Don’t Be A Square

Lucky for us Swiss watchmaker Hublot has not concern for being called a square, as they just released five new members of the Big Bang family and they all feature square-shaped cases. The new collection is called the Square Bang and certainly has exploded on the scene. This popular collection has been mainly round-shaped cases, and while there has been a tonneau shaped case in 2011, it has taken 12 years for the brand to create this spectacular series paying homage to Cartier Santos and the watches are brilliant.

Square Proportions

Proportions and aesthetics are quite a challenge for square-shaped watches and take time to perfect. Hublot wanted to be sure that a square case would not only be attractive, but really wanted the inspiration of the Santos to shine in the new design. The Square Bang has been crafted with a sporty design, which created more challenges with a square case because of water and dust resistance being quite an engineering task for square cases. Unlike the round case, a square case has to have special shape gaskets, and right angles are tougher than curved edges when it comes to water resistance. Thankfully the skilled masters that the brand has designing and crafting these beautiful watches were up to the challenge. These timepieces are water resistant to 100 meters.

Superior and Square

Hublot was very specific on the fact that even though the Square Bang has a different case, it should still have the same features that every Big Bang offers. So inclusive of the ‘One Click’ easy strap release system you find on the other models, this design also is offered in the same familiar materials and finishing options, and features the in-house UNICO automatic chronograph movements. The 43mm wide and 14.5mm thick timepiece might seem large, but it has a comfortable fit on the wrist, and a wear that matches the comfort on the round timepieces. The movement operates at 4Hz, 72 hours of power reserve and a 60-minute, column-wheel transmission chronograph complication, including the date. As with other Big Bang watches, the brand dials are skeletonized/open but feature the complete set of applied hour markers and signature bold hands. Over the dial is the sapphire crystal and crafted around the square bezel are the Hublot screws that remain a signature part of all Big Bang and Santos watches. The square design elements are also included on the strap and truly embrace the shape that is being tested. The five new versions of the Square Bang are limited edition pieces of 250 each and only time will tell if being a square really is boring.