Novak Djokovic has been a Hublot ambassador since 2021, and the Serbian tennis star has skilled huge success since signing with the Swiss luxurious model — which signifies that he has additionally often been noticed carrying numerous Hublot watches whereas holding (and infrequently kissing) his trophies. Simply as you’d anticipate, Djokovic has worn quite a lot of fashions from Hublot’s catalog all through the final a number of years; nonetheless, for the model’s newest launch of 2024, Hublot has given the tennis famous person his personal signature watch. Created to be as light-weight as doable whereas incorporating an revolutionary sustainable materials, the brand new Hublot Huge Bang Unico Novak Djokovic (ref. 441.QKB.5120.NR.DJO24) weighs lower than a tennis ball, and it encompasses a distinctive skeletonized case comprised of rackets and shirts that have been utilized by Djokovic himself.
Novak Djokovic began his skilled profession again in 2003 and the size of Djokovic’s Wikipedia web page alone is a testomony to the outstanding quantity of success that he has had inside the sport. Earlier than signing with Hublot in 2021, Djokovic was a Seiko model ambassador, and the athlete’s earlier horological partnership resulted in a number of totally different signature fashions, such because the Seiko Premier Kinetic Perpetual Novak Djokovic Particular Version that we coated again in 2017. Final 12 months in 2023, Djokovic claimed his twenty fourth Grand Slam title, making him the game’s all-time file holder for many Grand Slam wins, and when he held up (and kissed) the trophy after his victory on the US Open, he was carrying the Hublot Huge Bang Unico Yellow Magic. To create the brand new Hublot Huge Bang Unico Novak Djokovic watch, the Swiss producer began with the inspiration of its standard Huge Bang Unico after which modified the mannequin to make it as light-weight and personally linked to the tennis star as doable.
Whereas sure parts corresponding to crown, caseback, and pushers are crafted from aluminum, the remainder of the Hublot Huge Bang Unico Novak Djokovic’s case is comprised of a novel composite materials that comes with 25 HEAD rackets and 32 Lacoste polo shirts (17 darkish blue and 15 mild blue) that have been utilized by Djokovic throughout his record-setting 2023 season. The recycled rackets and shirts have been damaged down and mixed with quartz powder and glass fibers earlier than being set right into a bio-sourced epoxy resin that serves as a binding matrix. The ensuing composite is each robust and light-weight, with an uneven camouflage sample consisting of black carbon and blue textile fibers. Measuring 42mm in diameter by 14.5mm thick, the case of the Bang Unico Novak Djokovic seems in the identical total form because the model’s different Huge Bang fashions, though its lugs and facet sections have been skeletonized to additional lower the general weight of the watch.
Water resistance for the Hublot Huge Bang Unico Novak Djokovic is available in at a strong 100 meters; nonetheless, quite than that includes a sapphire crystal (like just about all different Hublot fashions), the brand new light-weight chronograph watch makes use of tempered Gorilla Glass, which is twice as mild as sapphire, though it’s not fairly as exhausting or scratch resistant. Gorilla Glass can often be discovered on premium electronics (corresponding to smartphone screens), and whereas it’s extra prone to abrasions than sapphire, it’s typically thought of to be a bit extra resilient to impacts. That mentioned, using Gorilla Glass on the Huge Bang Unico Novak Djokovic is all about reducing down on weight, and the cumulative results of the model’s efforts have resulted in a complete package deal of simply 49.5 grams, which even consists of essentially the most minimalist choice amongst its three straps. At lower than the burden of a tennis ball, the Hublot Huge Bang Unico Novak Djokovic is considerably lighter than a standard Huge Bang chronograph, though its revolutionary case supplies are solely partially liable for its important weight discount.
Similar to different Huge Bang Unico fashions, the brand new Hublot Huge Bang Unico Novak Djokovic is powered by the model’s manufacture Caliber HUB1280 automated flyback chronograph motion, which runs at a frequency of 28,800vph (4 Hz) with an influence reserve of roughly 72 hours. Nonetheless, quite than having plated brass structural parts like the usual model of this caliber, the Cal. HUB1280 fitted to the Huge Bang Unico Novak Djokovic makes use of aluminum for its plates and bridges, which has been anodized both mild blue or grey to match the hues of the case. Whereas the 43-jewel caliber nonetheless consists of 354 particular person parts and provides each a date show and a 60-minute flyback chronograph, its use of aluminum as a substitute of brass ends in a 27% discount in weight in comparison with the usual model of the HUB1280 Unico motion.
Whereas the clear skeletonized dial of the Hublot Huge Bang Unico Novak Djokovic watch follows the identical basic design as different Huge Bang chronographs, the counterweight for its central chronograph seconds hand seems within the form of Djokovic’s brand (quite than Hublot’s brand), and the palms, hour markers, and registers are all utterly skeletonized to create a extra technical and mechanically-focused aesthetic. In that very same spirit, the Huge Bang Unico Novak Djokovic additionally receives a customized rotor, which has been skeletonized to include the well-known tennis participant’s brand. Moreover, delicate tennis-themed design particulars could be discovered all through the remainder of the watch, and together with having neon inexperienced tennis-ball-colored accents on its dial and chronograph pusher, the bezel screws have a domed profile with a curved line working down their facilities to reflect the looks of tennis balls.
Just like different Huge Bang fashions, the Hublot Huge Bang Unico Novak Djokovic options the model’s One Click on quick-release system, which permits customers to simply swap straps by urgent the 2 trapezoid-shaped buttons positioned on the highest surfaces of its lugs, and included with the watch are 4 totally different straps. The primary choice is a Lacoste tennis wristband that connects to the case utilizing the One Click on system, whereas the second is an ultra-minimalist blue elastic strap that’s the most light-weight choice among the many quartet. The third strap is one in all Hublot’s Velcro cloth straps with an anodized aluminum buckle loop in the identical pale blue colour because the case, and the fourth and last strap is comprised of white rubber with a deployant-style clasp crafted from titanium. Lastly, housing the watch and its 4 straps is a particular racket-inspired skeletonized picket field comprised of sustainable oak and distinctive to this limited-edition collaboration mannequin.
Provided that the case of the watch is comprised of the well-known tennis star’s game-used rackets and polo shirts, the Hublot Huge Bang Unico Novak Djokovic (ref. 441.QKB.5120.NR.DJO24) was destined to be produced in a finite amount, and the mannequin will likely be a restricted version of 100 items with an official retail worth of $52,700 USD. Every watch could have its restricted version quantity engraved on its caseback, and all 100 examples will include a Lacoste wristband and polo shirt which have been autographed by Novak Djokovic. Whereas most of Hublot’s fashions can be removed from preferrred to put on whereas enjoying a severe tennis match (not to mention at knowledgeable degree), the light-weight design and sport-specific straps of this newest restricted version make it a watch that I may simply see the tennis star carrying throughout matches, and it will likely be fascinating to see if Djokovic will begin sporting a Hublot each on the court docket and the rostrum. For extra info on the Hublot Huge Bang Unico Novak Djokovic, please go to the model’s web site.
