Hublot Unveils Big Bang Meca-10 in 42MM at LVMH Watch Week 2025
With its in-house-developed 10-day movement and its cutting-edge, open-worked design with the complex mechanics on full display, Hublot's Big Bang Meca-10 made an impressive horological statement when introduced in 2016. At this year's LVMH Watch Week, the Swiss manufacture introduced a revised, by three mm reduced diameter take in three iterations, highlighting its technical prowess and unique approach to design. The trio is presented in 18k King Gold, the brand's own gold alloy, titanium and Frosted Carbon. Measuring 42 mm wide and 13.9 mm thick, they are water-resistant to 100 meters, as is typical for Hublot.
Inspired by Meccano-type construction systems, the Meca-10 is a tour de force in micro-mechanical engineering and allows intriguing insights into its works from every angle. The aesthetic and technical highlight is the power reserve indicator. Supported by two mainspring barrels, the movement's energy level can be read on a digital display that indicates the power reserve as the number of days of autonomy remaining.
These indications are driven by a "crémaillère" rack system, rarely seen in mechanical watches, consisting of a linear gear that engages a circular gear that moves in a straight line. A closer look at this system reveals a mechanism that is more subtle than it appears, consisting of two superimposed discs rotating in opposite directions and connected by a spiral spring that coils around its center like a barrel spring. The result is a surprising differential display that is still intuitive to read. In fact, the Meca-10’s power reserve exceeds ten days, but its display is capped at ten days as that’s the range of optimal chronometric performance, a testament to its precision. This ingenious design guarantees the precise synchronization between the power reserve display and the optimal winding level of the barrel springs.
The balance wheel, positioned on the dial side of the movement, is also entirely visible. The regulating organ features a lubricant-free and paramagnetic silicon escape wheel. For precise time-setting, the hand-wound HUB1205, which operates at 3 Hz is also equipped with a hacking seconds mechanism.
Like the dial, the back of the watch is a beauty in its own right. Three linear bridges attached to the main plate feature satin-brushed surfaces and hand-polished bevels, showcasing traditional craftsmanship at its finest. For each of the three different versions in King Gold, Titanium and Frosted Carbon, they are galvanically treated to match the cases in 5N shades of gold, metallic gray and black respectively.
As for the case, the King Gold and Titanium versions feature the Big Bang signature finish with satin-brushed surfaces and polished edges, while the Frosted Carbon iteration is the first of its kind in the Big Bang core collection and comes with a black Velcro strap to complement the light yet sturdy characteristics of the case. All feature Hublot's "One Click" system for easy replacement of the strap.
Pricing is marked at $42,700 in King Gold, at $23,000 in titanium, and at $27,400 in Frosted Carbon.
To learn more, visit Hublot, here.
