Swiss Watches
While the new Hublot Gold King Power Foudroyante Chronograph (ref. 715.PX.1128.RX) doesn’t look particularly new (which is a pity, since the Swiss-based brand doesn’t have a lot of ‘history’ to fall back to and actually constantly faces the same they-all-look-alike problem as Panerai), it still projects quite an impressive wow-factor glow around its rose gold body. Well, in fact, it isn’t even ‘rose gold’. To make its case, they employed a lot tougher gold-based ceramic material instead.
With the new Gold King Power foudroyante chronograph the young aspiring Swiss watchmaker keeps digging its multimillion dollars bonanza, which is, of course, their Big Bang series of watches. First unveiled five years ago, the series proved a great success among the watch aficionados with limited edition models selling at a premium like pancakes on a hot day.
With this particular model Hublot introduces a new material, which will probably be widely used in the future. Called “King Gold”, this is a new red gold alloy developed specifically for the Swiss company.
Being touted as “tougher” than normal gold, it probably involves some sort of ceramic and may well be a close relative of the Cermet composite material, which is particularly resistant to wear.
Just like most models in the Big Bang range, the Hublot Gold King Power features the highly appealing combination of metal and black rubber, including black rubber molding on its bezel with six trademark H-shaped screws, as well as crown and push-pieces also sporting this material.
The foudroyante (aka jumping or split-seconds) chronograph sub-dial at 9 o’clock makes the watch look even sportier, although I never particularly liked this complication: it somehow makes me feel like going into an epileptic seizure.
The Gold King Power is, err, powered by the new Caliber HUB 4144 self-winding movement, which is developed together with La Joux-Perret S.A. manufacture (and I have a strong feeling that the movement is at least a cousin of the HUB 8952 split seconds caliber that La Joux-Perret created for their another split seconds watch) that has strongly established as a provider of choice when it comes to complicated movements that some “expensive” brands can’t make for themselves.
Previously known as Jaquet, this company also delivers its in-house calibers to the Swiss watchmaking brand Corum, Harry Winston, the Italian-based Panerai, TAG Heuer, Franck Muller and other respectable watchmakers.
I guess it is going to be a hit, even despite the current economic turmoil. And, considering the fact that the model’s production is limited to only 500 units, you will have a hard time talking the AD into selling this one with a discount.
The only thing that may scare some people off, is that the watch is not only large: equipped with relatively long lugs that increase its overall length to more than 55 millimeters and measuring almost intimidating 18 millimeters from top to bottom (something in the ballpark of professional-grade divers rated for pressures ten times higher than this model that is only good for petty -but still practical- 100 meters of water resistance,) it may not be as comfortable to wear on a daily basis, especially with formal attire. But, well, this is something that should be expected when you are shopping for such a gargantuan watch that officially measures 48 millimeters in diameter.
See also: Ulysse Nardin Maxi Marine Diver Titanium chronometer
Photos: Hublot
Hublot Gold King Power foudroyante chronograph (ref. 715.PX.1128.RX) watch specification
Price range: $47,500 (MSRP)
Movement: Caliber HUB 4144, automatic, Swiss Made
Complications: Foudroyante chronograph
Power reserve: 42 hours
Case material: “King Gold” composite material
Case dimensions: 48.00 mm
Case height: 16.00 mm
Dial: Matt black and gold-plated microblasted sub-dials and flange; applied gold-plated markers; black SuperLuminova transfers
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Adjustable jointed black rubber strap
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective coating on interior and exterior sides