Hublot Square Bang Unico Titanium
About This Watch
The Hublot Square Bang Unico represents a bold new chapter in the brand's design evolution — the first time the Big Bang DNA has been translated into a fully square case format. Launched in 2022, the Square Bang immediately generated intense discussion in the watch community with its audacious angular geometry. The 42mm square titanium case features eight H-shaped screws on the bezel — two more than the round Big Bang — with each corner of the square bezel receiving a pair of screws that create a distinctive visual rhythm. The HUB1280 manufacture flyback chronograph caliber, the same movement found in the round Unico, powers the Square Bang with 72 hours of power reserve and the convenience of flyback chronograph reset. The skeletonized dial reveals this movement through a square aperture that fundamentally changes the visual relationship between movement and case compared to the round format. The square case is not merely a round movement in a square box — the construction required significant engineering to ensure water resistance and case integrity with the unconventional geometry. At 122 grams in titanium, the Square Bang wears comfortably despite its angular presence. The rubber strap connects to angular lugs that flow naturally from the square case. This watch divides opinion by design — it is deliberately provocative, challenging the assumption that sport chronographs must be round. For collectors who want to make a statement, the Square Bang delivers.
In-Depth Review
# Hublot Square Bang Unico Titanium
When Hublot introduced the Square Bang collection in 2022, the brand made a deliberate statement: the future of sports chronographs belonged to geometric precision rather than circular convention. The 821.NX.0170.RX exemplifies this philosophy through its 42mm titanium case, engineered with squared-off edges and anchored by eight H-shaped titanium screws that echo the brand's signature design language. The skeleton dial reveals the in-house HUB1280 caliber, a workhorse movement rated for 72 hours of power reserve and equipped with both chronograph and flyback functions. At just 14.5mm thick, this is a surprisingly wearable instrument for the category, while the 100-meter water resistance suggests genuine utility beyond the boardroom or boutique.
The Square Bang Unico Titanium targets collectors seeking mechanical substance without the weight penalty of precious metals. This is a watch for those who appreciate haute horlogerie credentials but refuse sartorial compromise—the skeletonized dial and monochromatic aesthetic appeal equally to minimalists and technical enthusiasts. Its titanium construction positions it as a tool watch with finishing ambitions, suitable for daily wear without the guilt that accompanies strapping on precious gold.
In the ultra-luxury chronograph space, the Square Bang competes directly with the Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph and Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph, both commanding significantly higher four-figure sums on the secondary market. While those pieces offer greater heritage cachet, Hublot's titanium offering delivers comparable movement sophistication and distinctive design language at a relatively restrained $17,500 street price—a legitimate value proposition in rarefied company.
Specifications
Movement
| Movement Type | Automatic |
|---|---|
| Caliber | HUB1280 |
| Power Reserve | 72 hours |
| Frequency | 28,800 vph |
| Jewels | 38 |
Case
| Case Diameter | 42.0mm |
|---|---|
| Case Thickness | 14.5mm |
| Case Material | Titanium |
| Crystal | Sapphire |
| Bezel | Fixed, 8 H-shaped titanium screws, square |
| Dial Color | Skeleton |
| Lug Width | 24mm |
| Lug-to-Lug | 49.0mm |
Features
| Water Resistance | 100m / 328ft |
|---|---|
| Bracelet/Strap | Black rubber strap |
| Clasp | Deployant buckle |
| Weight | 122g |
| Complications |