One for the fans of both the Hublot Big Bang Unico and Novak Djokovic! Hublot has teamed up with the tennis superstar for a watch.
Press Release information with commentary in italics.
New: Hublot Big Bang Unico Novak Djokovic
The Hublot Big Bang Unico Novak Djokovic retails at CHF 48,000 / EUR 54,900 / USD 52,700 . GBP 45,300. Limited Edition of 100 pieces.
Commentary
This is a collaboration release that we have been expecting and waiting for a while. Djokovic has been a Hublot Ambassador since 2021, and this is the first collaboration project between the two.
The watch is based on Hublot’s Big Bang Unico chronograph which is not dis-similar to the Sapphire 42mm model which we reviewed. But the novelty is focused on being lightweight. And thus, instead of a sapphire case, Hublot has chosen to use a composite material. The material is made from an epoxy resin reinforced with quartz, glass and infused with recycled racquets and shirts. And unlike sapphire which is transparent, the case is opaque, with a marble like appearance in blue with streaks of lighter and darker blue creating a pattern. Hublot calls this a camo-like appearance.
The lightweight theme is carried over to the crystal as well. Instead of sapphire glass which is common in watchmaking, Hublot has chosen to go with Gorilla glass, a material used as the glass on iPhones. Gorilla glass is only half the weight of sapphire.
As a result, the watch weighs only 49.5g with the lightest of the four straps it is delivered with. Lighter than a tennis ball! (The International Tennis Federation (ITF) states that a tennis ball must weigh between 56.0 and 59.4 grams).
The movement remains the tested Unico chronograph which is manufactured in-house by Hublot. Even here, the lightweight theme is not spared. Instead of the usual brass for constructing the movement, the material chosen is aluminium.
Aluminium is not only lighter, but also perhaps as important, a material which can be anodised into the light blue and grey to keep with the colour scheme of the case. Aluminium is also used in the case side panels, the bezels, lugs, crown and pushers as well as for the case back.
But as touches of the collaboration, the center chronograph seconds hand bears the signature of Djokovic as the counter weight. This same signature also appears on the oscillating weight.
The watch is delivered with items which will also be of great appeal to Djokovic fans. With the sustainably sourced oak special presentation box to the inclusion of a Lacoste sport wristband and Lacoste polo shirt signed by Djocovic.
Release details
Inspired by Djokovic’s incredible record-breaking achievements, Hublot designed a watch that captures Hublot Ambassador Novak Djokovic’s agility on the court and highlights Hublot’s approach to sustainable innovation. Together, they present an extraordinary watch inspired by the strength and determination that led Djokovic to become the greatest tennis player of all time. Driven by Hublot’s commitment to innovation and unique mastery of materials, the Big Bang Unico Novak Djokovic is made of Djokovic’s HEAD racquets and Lacoste polos.Novak Djokovic’s racquets and shirts are metamorphosed into an exceptional watch that takes on a second life as a unique talisman.
Journalists and special guests gathered in Paris for an immersive experience into Olympic gold medalist and 24 Grand slam titles holder Djokovic’s winning mindset, brought to life through a unique performance, a discussion between Hublot CEO, Julien Tornare and Novak Djokovic, and the official reveal of the Big Bang Unico Novak Djokovic. The tone was set by the charisma of Djokovic, an unmatched player, who earlier this year in the City of Light aced another remarkable career title winning Olympic gold; with this brilliant triumph Djokovic made history as only the 5th player to complete the Golden Slam, winning all four major titles and an Olympic gold medal in singles.
A Legendary Mindset
Novak Djokovic became a part of the Hublot family in 2021. Since then, the Swiss luxury watchmaker has been there to support the tennis player’s greatest achievements and watch Djokovic reaffirm himself as the tennis GOAT.
Djokovic’s story is now legendary. Djokovic turned professional in 2003 and has rewritten tennis history, breaking records, defying the odds, achieving the impossible and overcoming adversity. Since winning his first Grand Slam at the Australian Open in 2008, Djokovic has dominated the most competitive period in tennis history, elevating the game at every turn. Now a 24-time Grand Slam singles champion, Djokovic’s passionate will and determination have shone through in his journey and solidified his ongoing legacy.
By striving to be the best and giving his all-in pursuit of his dreams, Djokovic embodies the same powerful values that define Hublot’s unique approach to fine watchmaking. The bigger the challenge, the more glory in overcoming it.
“To reach where I am today, it has required extensive work both physically and most importantly, mentally. The psychology of the game is very important, and when I play, each moment needs to be precise and intentional. This is especially true with what I wear during preparation and competition, as it becomes part of my body, my mind. Every detail is critical to my ability to stay focused and determined. This new watch is an extension of this mindset and represents key moments from my 2023 season, a landmark year in my career. It is a symbol of every game, every moment. It has been an incredible experience to collaborate with Hublot to create this special watch.”
Novak Djokovic, Hublot Ambassador and Tennis GOAT
A Fusion of Excellence and Innovation
Hublot was given a challenge: to create an incredibly light watch with a sustainable component. Known for pushing the boundaries in terms of research and development, Hublot was able to not only create a new material but a highly personal one at that. Hublot developed a composite made up of 25 HEAD racquets as well as 17 dark blue and 15 light blue Lacoste polos used by Djokovic during his 2023 season, the year in which the world witnessed Djokovic make history and break records with 24 Grand Slams singles titles.
These materials have been developed and used to make the watch as light as possible without losing any strength or resilience. In many ways, the R&D process for this watch mirrors Djokovic’s determination to aim for excellence.
The composite that makes up the case and bezel of the watch is made of Epoxy resin reinforced with quartz powder and glass veil that has been fused with the recycled racquets and shirts. The resulting material is speckled with fragments of light & dark blue textiles and black carbon to create a singular camo aesthetic. An innovative approach, representative of Hublot’s ambition for endless reinvention.
To ensure a feather-light feeling on the wrist, Hublot had to find a way to reduce the weight of the watch.
Instead of using traditional sapphire crystal, the Swiss luxury watchmaker has chosen tempered Gorilla glass, a material used in high-end electronics and two times lighter than sapphire. An achievement made possible by the relentless drive of Hublot’s innovation and materials teams to create singular watches while pursuing the brand’s engagement to move towards meaningful products, made with awareness.
At the heart of the watch lies the Unico manufacture chronograph movement. Synonymous with the bold and always different character of the brand, the movement was a natural choice for this special piece.
Nonetheless, the standard Unico movement in brass had to be reinvented to reduce the weight of the To do so, Hublot chose aluminum, prized for its lightness, and anodized in light blue or grey to echo the camo color scheme of the case. In doing so, Hublot’s engineers were able to reduce the weight of the movement by 27%, shedding almost a third of its weight. Aluminum has also been used for some case components such as side pieces (3H-9H), sub-bezel, bezel lugs, pushers, crown and case-back.
The Big Bang Unico Novak Djokovic comes with four straps for four different styles. The first bracelet is a “Lacoste” tennis wristband that attaches to the watch head with the One Click System, making the watch the perfect tennis companion. The second style is a blue elastic strap, this combination weighs a total of 49.5 grams, lighter than a tennis ball! The third style features a light blue Velcro strap with a polished blue aluminum sports buckle. The last style is a white rubber strap with titanium deployant buckle.
Highly Collectible
Fans of the tennis player and collectors alike will appreciate the details that have been added to the watch, such as a yellow second pusher or the slightly domed and curved bezel screws reminiscent of a tennis ball. The Novak Djokovic logo is visible on the second hand and on the oscillating weight.
The Big Bang Unico Novak Djokovic, limited to 100 pieces, is housed in Hublot’s sustainably sourced, high quality wooden watch box. Created entirely from oak, including its hinges, it is carved from mostly massive, traceable wood, whose sourcing and manufacture both promote short supply chains. The watch box features a unique design created exclusively for this limited-edition.
Owners of the watch will also receive a Lacoste sport wristband and a Lacoste polo signed by Hublot Ambassador and all-time record-holder of 24 Grand Slam single titles, Novak Djokovic.
Be among the first to own the new Hublot Big Bang Unico Novak Djokovic. Available now online at Hublot.com and in our Boutiques.
Hublot Big Bang Unico Novak Djokovic Specifications
Reference: 441.QKB.5120.NR.DJO24, Limited to 100 pieces
Case: Matte blue recycled composite with Novak Djokovic’s polos and racquets * Diameter: 42 mm * Thickness: 14.5 mm * Water resistance: 10 ATM / 100 M
Caseback: Polished Sky Blue Anodizing Aluminium
Bezel: Matte blue recycled composite with Novak Djokovic’s polos and racquets
Dial: Matte sky blue with white luminescent indexes
Movement: Unico Manufacture, Self-Winding Chronograph in Sky Blue PVD Aluminium * Frequency: 4 Hz (28’800 A/H) * Power reserve (hours): 72 * Number of components : 354 * Jewels : 43
Strap and Clasp: first strap: tennis wristband * second strap: blue elastic * third strap: blue velcro fastener fabric * fourth strap: white rubber strap * Polished Blue Aluminium Sport buckle (for velcro bracelet) * Titanium Deployant Buckle (for rubber strap)
