When formerly high-flying Swiss movement manufacturer BNB Concept sunk under the weight of its accounts receivable in January, Jean-Claude Biver swung into action, bringing BNB’s managing director Mathias Buttet and about 30 of his watchmakers to Hublot. Biver also acquired BNB’s entire machine base. These decisive steps place Hublot among the few brands that can independently design and produce even the most complex movements in-house. The group’s first new creation was shown at Baselworld.
While at BNB, Buttet launched Confrérie Horlogère, a brand designed to allow talented young watchmakers to create the timepieces of their dreams. This concept will continue under the banner Confrérie Horlogère Hublot, and at Baselworld the group unveiled “Liberty” or Autant en emporte le temps, a reinterpretation of the pocket watch in the form of a gun cartridge, housing a tourbillon. The piece can be worn on a bracelet or as a pendent. Technical specifications appear below the image.
Case: Gun cartridge shape, grade 5 titanium head, anodically oxidized matte black aluminum base
Case dimensions: diameter 27 mm, length 53.75 mm
Movement: Mechanical movement with Swiss tourbillon-type pallet escapement, manual winding, calibre CHH9000
Movement dimensions: diameter 20 mm, length 29.50 mm
Indications: Roller display of hours and minutes
Power Reserve: 120 hours
Frequency: 21,600 vib/h
Number of components: 219
Number of jewels: 36
Water resistance: 30 m or 3 ATM
