A gold snake that winds around chronograph counters.

 

When it comes to series dedicated to the Chinese zodiac, each watch brand adheres to a distinct strategy. While the likes of Vacheron Constantin and Blancpain maintain stability, only changing the animal sign for the new year without altering the concept for their models, other watchmakers embark on risky experiments.

 

Watches in the latter group, which are probably all the more enticing, are few and far between. Pieces by Hublot are a good example. The brand launched its special Spirit of Big Bang series in 2016, but no two watches in this series are alike.

 

Hublot made a name for itself by pairing gold on rubber in 1980. For the Year of the Tiger, this company tried out gold-fused Frosted Carbon for the first time to create the unique tiger stripes on their case for the Spirit of Big Bang Carbon Gold Tiger.

 

Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Year of the Snake
Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Year of the Snake

For the Year of the Rabbit, Hublot transformed the dial into a canvas for Chinese artist Wen Na to paint. She populated it with a frenzy of her busy rabbit characters, taking part in traditional Chinese holiday rituals.

 

The Nyon-based manufacture is ushering in the year 2025 with the new Spirit of Big Bang Year of the Snake model, and it has a drastically different character. The watch launched as a limited edition of 88 lucky pieces depicts an embossed gold-plated snake, winding around the watch's three chronograph counters.

 

The snake looks strikingly realistic, slithering towards 12 o'clock where its head is pointed. Its scaly pattern extends onto the ceramic watch bezel and strap. The latter is particularly interesting: the rubber strap has a velvety texture and demonstrates an innovative embossing technology to obtain the perfect snakeskin effect.

If the watch owner wants to play down the snake theme, they can use the One Click system to swap the eye-catching black rubber strap for another one.

 

The Big Bang Year of Snake houses the skeletonized manufacture HUB4700 movement, which can be viewed through the caseback. This self-winding movement ensures a power reserve of 50 hours.