zelin0802 / May 19, 2022

The latest collaboration from the “Hublot Loves Art” program results in a bold timepiece.

For over a decade, the Swiss brand Hublot has been collaborating with artists on good replica watches designs. The odd thing about the “Hublot Loves Art” program is that while it embraces pop culture, the partnership was never about simply chasing celebrity influence.

Take, for example, the brand’s collaboration with art-learned Samuel Ross. Ross may not be a household name, but for fashion’s loyal following, the young Brit represents a new era of entrepreneurship. With its bold design, the Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon Samuel Ross embodies the energy that Ross’ generation has brought to the world of luxury design.

What is art?
Like many of the artists Hublot has worked with, Ross, born in 1991, is a man of many talents. His CV lists him as a British menswear designer, creative director and artist. He studied graphic design and illustration at university and worked in commercial design after graduation. At the same time, he made experimental films and street art, and launched a clothing brand called 2wnt4. Ross’ creative work caught the attention of Louis Vuitton’s artistic director Virgil Abloh, who hired the young artist as his creative assistant at Off-White and Kanye West’s Yeezy. www.review4uwatch.com

Ross has since founded another fashion label, A-COLD-WALL*, and has collaborated with brands such as Off-White, Oakley, Nike, Barney’s and now Hublot.

In 2019, Ross received the prestigious Hublot Design Award. Just a year later, he was announced as an official brand ambassador, an occasion marked by the unveiling of REFORM, a sculpture designed to encapsulate 40 years of Hublot’s history. The Big Bang Tourbillon Samuel Ross was his first watch design to hit the market.

“[Ross] is the youngest artist we’ve ever worked with,” Hublot CEO Ricardo Guadalupe said in a press release. “[His] 360-degree approach is unique and smart, bringing together the watch, packaging, communication and visual identity.”

What is the time?
A feature of Hublot’s collaboration with each artist offers a new interpretation of what art is. For example, multimedia artists Takashi Murakami and Shepard Fairey make art that can hang on the wall, but they also make T-shirts. Meanwhile, tattoo artist Maxime Plescia-Büchi, the partner behind Hublot’s popular Sang Bleu, also dabbled in typography.

“Samuel pushed our team to use new and innovative materials and shapes,” Guadalupe’s press statement continued. “It’s been a truly dynamic and fulfilling partnership.”

Hublot’s slogan is “The Art of Fusion”. With his new eponymous Big Bang tourbillon, Ross combines the organic geometry of the honeycomb (a nod to the Big Bang’s iconic hexagonal case) with a distinctly industrial aesthetic, whose production process includes traditional hand machining and cutting- Edge processing.

Then there’s Rose’s iconic use of color. Representing dynamism and optimism, the straps, crown decoration, tourbillon bridges and lateral bumpers protecting the case are painted in bright orange. The strong hue provides a vibrant futuristic contrast to the dark grey of the satin case and bezel.

The result is a timepiece that reimagines what a wholesale replica watch should look like. Kind of like a pair of Yeezy that makes you rethink what shoes should look like.

What does it mean?
The honeycomb theme is also present in the titanium mesh used on the case, sapphire dial, case back and strap. The basic form of nature, this shape can be repeated without gaps or overlaps, symbolizing strength. At the same time, it is durable and ergonomic, especially when combined with the skeletonized titanium construction and flexible rubber strap for maximum comfort on the wrist.

“Our goal is to create a universe that takes advantage of contemporary engineering, spatial design and digital,” Ross said in the release. “This is reflected in the attention to detail, and the result is striking, bold and unapologetic.”

Ross went on to say that he sees the Big Bang Tourbillon Samuel Ross as a wearable sculpture. However, it is also technically very functional, powered by the 282-component HUB6035 movement, which beats at 3 Hz and offers a 72-hour power reserve.

final thoughts
In short, the Big Bang Tourbillon Samuel Ross is more than just a fake luxury watches. It is a unique time perspective, using a new visual language. “We see the future of luxury as a horizontal experience that provides a multi-generational access point that enables luxury to reach a global audience,” Ross concluded.

To celebrate the launch, Hublot’s Fifth Avenue boutique in New York City will feature Rose’s signature colors. The acquisition will be repeated in Hublot stores around the world, bringing the world of Samuel Ross into the world of watchmaking.