Big Bang Alarm Repeater

 
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BIG BANG ALARM REPEATER
 
A practical horological complication, perfectly realised
 
Hublot is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its iconic Big Bang model by revisiting and bringing a spirit of innovation to one of its most practical complications – the alarm clock. Integrating one of the oldest complications – the alarm clock function preceded even the advent of hands – the Big Bang Alarm Repeater is the fusion of two functional complications: a mechanical alarm clock and a second time zone. This timepiece demonstrates the brand's maturity, highlighting how far it has progressed since the its manufacture was inaugurated in 2009. A fusion of tradition and modernity.
 
Ricardo Guadalupe, Hublot CEO, explains: "Several years ago, our objective was for Hublot to the join the ranks of the most prestigious brands by producing almost all new materials and our own movements (including complications) in-house. The Big Bang celebrates its 10th anniversary, and the accomplishment of all these objectives. The new developments for 2015 symbolise this achievement. The Big Bang Alarm Repeater is evidence of this. 2015 also sees the extension of our manufacture and, with it, many new objectives which we have set in terms of innovation, engineering and complications."
 
The alarm clock - a complication which belongs to the chiming clock category – is indexed on the reference time. At 1 o'clock, a triangular window gradually shows the day/night indicator for the local time. At 5 o'clock, a 24-hour counter with two hands shows the programmed alarm time; while an "on- off" indicator shows the alarm status at 6 o'clock. At 7 o'clock, the hammer visible under the sapphire is coated with SuperLuminovaTM so it can be seen at night. The second time zone has a 24-hour display at 11 o'clock. The alarm clock chimes for around 16 seconds as a steel hammer strikes a gong.
 
The design of the Big Bang Alarm Repeater features a powerful case measuring 45.5 mm in diameter, reprising the characteristics of the case on the new Big Bang Unico models: six "H" screws, with an even more high tech, understated design, the design of the screw-in crown in overmoulded rubber, the edge of which is decorated with the famous "H" of the Hublot screw, round push-buttons protected by a button guard. The look of this piece distinguishes it from the chronograph versions: the push-button at 2 o'clock is used to adjust the time of the second time zone, while the push-button at 4 o'clock activates the alarm. All the other functions are easily operated using the crown.
 
The dial on the Big Bang Alarm Repeater features a complex, 3D architecture superimposing metal and sapphire – with a black metallic and fumé effect – through which the finishes of the movement can be admired.
 
The dial side of the anthracite ruthenium-coated movement features micro-blasted bridges, a circular- grained, satin-finished gong and a satin-finished hammer with polished angles, whilst the back alternates snailing, satin effect and circular graining finishes with polished angles. The skeleton work on the bridges, barrels and wheels is reminiscent of certain aesthetic codes on the Unico manufacture movement.
 
The calibre comprises 356 components, a 72-hour power reserve and two barrels – one for the movement, the other for the chime. The alarm clock's power reserve indicator can be consulted via its skeleton barrel which reveals the spring.
 
The Big Bang Alarm Repeater model – available in titanium or King Gold – will be limited to 250 pieces; each is paired with a structured and ribbed natural rubber strap featuring an ingenious "One click" system for changing the strap.