Big Bang Monaco Yacht Club

Under the terms of the partnership with the Monaco Yacht Club, Hublot has created a new Big Bang chronograph, a first landmark in the revamped brand and an extension of its combination philosophy launched in 1980. 25 years on, with Big Bang, Hublot reinterprets its DNA, revisiting its original principles: the combination of unusual materials such as gold with ceramics, Kevlar and red gold, tantalum or rubber - and the combination of movements that marry Swiss watch making tradition with the visionary watch-
maker's art of the 21st century.

The Hublot Big Bang "Monaco Yacht Club" chronograph, inspired by Tuiga, is produced in a limited and numbered edition of 250 pieces. Its black carbon face displays the red, white and gold flag of the Monaco Yacht Club, whilst the bottom of the case is engraved with an image of Tuiga in an exact replica of the coat of arms at the end of the boom of the Monegasque cutter.

With its angular design, built of superimposed layers of different materials, the 44.5 mm diameter case of the "Monaco Yacht Club" Big Bang is fashioned from steel. A Kevlar insert provides an unusual side view that gives the impression that the watch is traversed by the legendary Hublot black natural rubber strap. The stamped carbon dial sets off the extra-wide crystal in a ceramic bezel with six screws in the form of an "H" and Kevlar lug disks. The crown and rectangular button heads have black natural rubber inserts.

With its mechanical self-winding chronograph movement, the Hublot Big Bang "Tuiga, Monaco Yacht Club" limited edition will be available in the autumn of 2005 and will be accompanied by a book to be published on the fabulous saga of Tuiga, the flagship of the Monaco Yacht Club.

The flagship of the Monaco Yacht Club, the Tuiga, is a legendary boat built in 1909 by William Fife. This "15-metre International Class", restored in 1993, was acquired in 1995 by the Monaco Yacht Club. As H.R.H. Prince Albert II explains, "For a long time I wanted our club to have a prestigious yacht that would demonstrate Monaco's fidelity to the maritime heritage of traditional yachting. When the opportunity to acquire Tuiga arose in 1995, I was happy to seize it, and I would like to thank all of the members of the 'Tuiga Committee', without whose support this project could never have come to fruition."

Restored in 1993, Tuiga, built of mahogany on steel frames, has an overall length of 23 metres with a sail area of 370 m². Flying the flag of the Monaco Yacht Club, its crew take part in many gatherings of traditional boats and she frequently wins first place in her category.