Today we’re going hands on with the Hublot Big Bang Bi-Retrograde Chrono, the official watch of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and a bit of a head scratcher.
The Big Bang Bi-Retrograde Chrono
Regular readers of The Watch Lounge may recall that I first wrote about the new Big Bang Bi-Retrograde Chrono a few months ago in the lead up to its official launch at Baselworld 2014. At that time though I had not had the chance to see the watch in the flesh for myself and so I had to satisfy myself with press photos.
With the start of the 2014 World Cup now less than a month away and the excitement nearing fever pitch however it seemed only fitting that we revisit what the tournament’s official timing partner will be bringing to the party.
There are two different versions of the Big Bang Bi-Retrograde Chrono, one is presented in a polished black ceramic case whilst the other is in 18k rose gold, both measuring 45mm in diameter.
For me personally though only the black ceramic case really works with the dial’s distinctive, Brazilian-esque color scheme. Don’t get me wrong, I like the rose gold case but I just feel it clashes too much with everything else, plus the carbon version looks and feels sportier.
Directing you attention to the aforementioned dial you will notice that it has a rather unusual looking display. That’s because – as I wrote in my first article – the Big Bang Bi-Retrograde Chrono has been created specifically for the game of soccer (or football depending where you’re reading this).
The bi-retrograde chronograph is capable of tracking 60 minute and 60 second intervals, the former of which is divided into two further segments, 45 minutes (the length of one half of a soccer match), with an additional 15 minutes for injury time. A small window just below 12 o’clock indicates whether it’s the 1st half, half-time, or the 2nd half.
In person it’s all very intuitive and easy to read and is actually pretty practical all things considered in terms of timing a football match, assuming of course the referee remembers to start and stop it accordingly.
Providing the power to the Big Bang Bi-Retrograde Chrono is Hublot’s in-house, automatic HUB1260 UNICO movement, which is visible through the sapphire caseback. The official 2014 FIFA World Cup logo also makes an appearance, which is a nice touch and one that is sure to be appreciated by true fans of the game.
I have to say I liked the Big Bang Bi-Retrograde Chrono a lot more in person than I thought I would, especially the Carbon version however I am still not quite sure who will actually buy one as the functionality of the watch is pretty specific (and therefore limited.) That being said, I really respect the fact that Hublot has used some ingenuity to create a watch specifically for the World Cup and football/soccer in general. Sure it’s a bit gimmicky but it’s also kind of cool at the same time.
The King Gold Carbon is limited to 100 pieces worldwide and retails for US$42,400, whilst the Ceramic Carbon is limited to 200 pieces worldwide and retails for US$26,300.
For more information about the Big Bang Bi-Retrograde Chrono please visit the official Hublot website.
