The new Hublot Big Bang King All Black Blue (ref. 322.CI.1190.GR.ABB09) limited edition diving watch, which is presented in a larger than life 48 mm black ceramic body, seems to partially overcome All Black series’ main problem: total lack of legibility regardless of lighting conditions. Even if the new “blue on black” color scheme doesn’t add much to the timekeeper’s legibility in normal light, the watch will surely be a lot more readable in the dark or even under water, although I am seriously frightened that somewhere out there roams a maniac who is ready to take this expensive dark beauty for a swim in salty, aggressive water.

Okay, it seems that even in the severest cases of haute couture madness there are days when form (or at least finish) does follow function.

While most members of Hublot‘s super-stylish “All Black” family fiercely refuse to tell time because of total lack of contrast, this particular model at least makes modest attempt of serving its main purpose.

The reason is simple: while highly fashionable and primarily intended to be worn as a casual sporty timekeeper, this model is also positioned as a (very expensive) diving watch and nothing can be more dangerous –or, at least, more unnerving– for a diver than inability to find out how much exactly time passed since he or she went under water.

As you can see on the photos above and below, the watch has its hour markers covered with an electric blue luminescent substance, making the watch glow even in the darkest waters. The same substance is applied to the edges of the hour, minute and the second hands.

Regrettably, the Swiss brand’s designers were stubborn enough not to apply even a single drop of the –probably– SuperLuminova on the timekeeper’s matte ceramic unidirectional rotating bezel, so there is little to no use to its standard 60-minute diving scale.

And you still won’t know what date is now, since it is, too, printed with black ink on a dark-grey background.

Everything else, however, looks just perfect and as high-tech as it is always the case with the young watchmaker.

Even the timepiece’s natural leather alligator strap is in fact a composite material since it has black rubber injected on its inner surface. At least, now you won’t lose your watch because of a failed strap.

I could have probably wasted a couple of minutes of my life ranting about the gadget’s obscenely large body that doesn’t seem to be too appropriate to wear at this time of total downsizing when dozens of thousands of people all over the world lose their jobs and houses, but if you have come here looking for this King All Black Blue, its XXL-sized body and the effect that it would make on common people is probably the last things to worry you.

WWR Verdict

Originality 4/5
Build Quality: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Overall Legibility: 4/5
Nighttime Legibility: 5/5
Value for Money: 4/5

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

See also: Hublot Big Bang Bullet Bang limited edition watch in Cermet

Photos: Hublot

Hublot Big Bang King All Black Blue diving watch’s specification:

Price range: Approx. $12,000
Movement: Hublot in-house caliber HUB1400, automatic, 180 parts, 23 jewels, satin-finished bridges and tungsten carbide oscillating weight, Swiss Made
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Power reserve: 42 hours
Case material: Black ceramic
Case size: 48.00 mm
Case height: No data
Dial: Black
Water resistance: 300 meters
Strap: Alligator leather with black rubber
Crystal: Sapphire, interior antireflective coating
Back: Sapphire
Availability: Limited to 500 units

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