The Next Big Thing: A Closer Look at the Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon Samuel Ross

Swiss brand Hublot has been collaborating with artists on watch designs for well over a decade now. The curious thing about the “Hublot Loves Art” initiative is that while it embraces pop culture, the partnerships have never been about simply chasing celebrity clout.

Take, for example, the maison’s partnership with the artistic polymath Samuel Ross. Ross may not be a household name, but for dedicated followers of fashion, the young Brit represents a new age of entrepreneurship. And with its audacious design, the Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon Samuel Ross encapsulates the energy that Ross’ generation is bringing to the world of luxury design.
 

One characteristic that each artist Hublot collaborates with offers a new interpretation of what art is. For example, Multimedia artists Takashi Murakami and Shepard Fairey make art that can hang on a wall, but they also produce t-shirts. Meanwhile, tattoo artist Maxime Plescia-Büchi, the collaborative partner behind Hublot’s popular Sang Bleu, also dabbles in typography.

“Samuel has pushed our team to work with new and innovative materials and shapes,” continued Guadalupe’s press statement. “It’s a really dynamic and fulfilling partnership.”
 

Hublot’s tagline is “The Art of Fusion.” And with his new eponymous Big Bang Tourbillon, Ross has combined the organic geometry of the beehive (a tribute to the signature hexagon case of the Big Bang) with a stark, industrial aesthetic via a production process that involves both traditional hand-finishing and cutting-edge machining.

And then there’s Ross’s signature use of color. As a representation of energy and optimism, bright orange is used on the strap, crown accents, the tourbillon bridge, and the lateral bumpers that protect the case. The intense hue provides a vibrant, futuristic counterpoint to the more somber grey of the satin-finished case and bezel.
 

The honeycomb theme is also picked up in the titanium mesh used on the case, sapphire dial, caseback, and strap. A fundamental form of nature, this shape, which can be repeated without gaps or overlapping, signifies strength. At the same time, it is durable and ergonomic, especially when combined with the openworked titanium architecture and flexible rubber strap, providing maximum comfort on the wrist.

“Our goal is to create a universe that leverages the strengths of contemporary engineering, spatial design and digital,” said Ross in the press release. “This is reflected in the focus on fine details, with striking, bold and unapologetic results.”
 

In short, the Big Bang Tourbillon Samuel Ross is more than just a watch. It is a unique perspective on time that uses a new visual language. “We see the future of luxury as a lateral experience, offering a multigenerational access point that enables luxury to engage global audiences,” concluded Ross.
 

To celebrate the launch, Hublot’s 5th Ave boutique in New York City will be enveloped in Ross’s signature colors. The takeover will be repeated in Hublot stores across the globe, bringing the Samuel Ross universe to the world of horology.