HUBLOT’S ART OF FUSION IN FULL FORCE

Last week in Geneva, the watch industry’s main event occurred: Watches and Wonders. It was a full  week filled with brands presenting their best innovations and technologies, unveiling new products,  celebrating significant anniversaries of their flagship models, and inviting ambassadors to share brand  values with the international watch community, collectors, press, and the world. This year, over  55,000 visitors attended the Salon. With 60 exhibiting brands, Watches and Wonders once again  confirmed its status as the largest watchmaking event of the year.

For HUBLOT, 2025 is shaping to be a strong and successful year. The brand celebrated the 20th  anniversary of its iconic Big Bang model during Watches and Wonders.  

The Big Bang is the watch that revolutionised contemporary Swiss watchmaking and elevated the  original HUBLOT philosophy — the Art of Fusion. This concept was first introduced with  HUBLOT’s initial watch, launched in 1980 by founder Carlo Crocco, when he combined a gold case  with a natural rubber strap — a completely unprecedented idea at the time.  

With the Big Bang series, this concept became fundamental to the brand and sparked unprecedented  innovations in material fusion. When Jean-Claude Biver took over and introduced the Big Bang in  2005, the Art of Fusion became the core of HUBLOT’s identity. 

The Big Bang represents a bold departure from traditional watchmaking codes, featuring six exposed  screws on its bezel, an unconventional case, a rubber strap, and a groundbreaking combination of  steel, ceramic, and titanium. The Unico, the first 100% in-house HUBLOT calibre, showcases its  mechanics through a visible column wheel. The signature One-Click strap system enables the wearer  to transform their style with a single gesture: one silhouette, infinite possibilities.  

The Big Bang line further pushed HUBLOT’s fusion concept by mixing ceramic, titanium, carbon  fibre, steel, rubber, gold, and sapphire. A true creative canvas, it has set the stage for two decades of  breathtaking ingenuity, introducing new materials, rethinking traditional mechanical complications,  and blurring the lines between watchmaking and art.  

The success of the Big Bang line made HUBLOT the bold, disruptive innovator it is today.

On April 2nd, HUBLOT hosted an unforgettable celebration for the Big Bang’s 20th anniversary – a  tribute to HUBLOT’s trailblazing spirit and an ode to the brand’s Art of Fusion.  

HUBLOT gathered the international elite of watchmaking, gastronomy, and sport, featuring football  champion Kylian Mbappé, the world’s fastest man Usain Bolt, professional sailor and three-time  Vendée Globe finisher Alan Roura, world champion sprinter Mujinga Kambundji, and national  football team head coaches Didier Deschamps (France) and Roberto Martinez (Portugal).  

The evening unfolded with live culinary performances by five world-renowned Michelin-starred  chefs, Anne-Sophie Pic, Clare Smyth, Yannick Alléno Eneko Atxa, Andreas Caminada, stunning  entertainment from master mentalist Lior Suchard, and show-stopping musical sets from DJ Alissia  and Mika, creating a multi-sensory experience that perfectly embodied the spirit of the Big Bang.  

“Our icon, the Big Bang, has redefined the codes of contemporary watchmaking. Twenty years on,  celebrating its revolutionary mindset, the Big Bang continues to embody the boldness, innovation and 

pioneering spirit for which HUBLOT is renowned,” said Julien Tornare, CEO of HUBLOT. “It was  such an emotional moment to have our HUBLOT Family united on this unprecedented occasion.”

NUMÉRO Switzerland had the pleasure of speaking with Mujinga Kambundji, Swiss athletics legend  who holds numerous national records, 11 international medals including two world and three  European titles. Mujinga is the first Swiss woman in history to break the 11-second barrier for the  100m. She also holds national records for the 60m, 200m, and 4x100m. Her bronze medal in the  200m at the 2019 World Championships in Doha made her the first sprinter in Swiss athletics history to stand on the podium at a World Championship. Most recently, she claimed gold in the women’s  60m at the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China. Mujinga is the undisputed  star of Swiss athletics and darling of the nation.

AT  

You’ve represented Switzerland on the world stage with power and grace. What does it mean  to you to be part of a Swiss brand like HUBLOT that blends tradition, performance, and style?  

MK  

For me, it’s a big honor to be an ambassador of HUBLOT and to represent the brand, especially on  the track. I always like to wear my watch when I compete. Watchmaking is something deeply  traditional and very Swiss, and HUBLOT is one of the biggest names — bold, elegant, and sporty at  the same time. I’ve always liked that versatility. HUBLOT is something you can wear on the track  but also with a lovely evening dress. They collaborate with many athletes from different disciplines  — football, running, even sailing — and that also speaks to the brand’s versatility. That mix of  performance and style is something I really connect with.  

AT  

Details matter in both fashion and sport. Are there certain rituals or accessories that help you  feel grounded before a race?  

MK  

Yes, it’s not really a ritual, but it’s something I do naturally. I always like to prepare before a race— taking my time to do my makeup and my hair nicely. I always wear jewelry and a watch. Sprinting is  a sport where you represent yourself. You have your own lane. You don’t have contact with others,  so you can express yourself. It’s really nice to have this side of being athletic—with a lot of muscles  and power—but still in an elegant way. It’s the fusion of two different things that come together and  work really well. HUBLOT is organic in that sense.  

AT  

You’re known for your strength on the track — but how would you describe your personal style  off the track? Has it evolved alongside your career?  

MK  

When I’m home, I like to wear comfortable clothes. But I prefer timeless and contemporary outfits when I dress up for an event, an evening, or a gala. I like fashion, of course, but I am not really into following trends. I like timeless things that I can wear now and later as well. I like the new Hublot  Big Bang One Click in mint green with diamonds. 

AT  

When you’re not sprinting at full speed, how do you unwind? How do you slow down, both  physically and creatively?  

MK  

I like to spend time with my family. I’m very busy and travel a lot, so when I’m home, I like simple  things—having coffee with my sister or sitting in the garden with my parents, eating dessert. I also  enjoy gardening when I have time. I still live in the city, so I have a small garden, mostly herbs for  cooking. My mom has a big garden, so when I have time, I help her. She has a lot of fruits and  vegetables. I don’t have the time now for a big garden, but that’s something I truly like.  

AT  

What inspires you right now in sports, culture, and art?  

MK  

It’s hard to give just one example, but in general, someone trying to do something exceptional,  whether in sports, cooking, or any field – just trying to be the best and constantly improving. That  inspires me! You find this in so many areas. It’s the mindset – whether you’re an athlete, a cook, or  anyone else – if you try to be the best, you carry that same spirit.  

AT  

Exactly! Do you have someone from the top of your mind who inspired you recently?  MK  

I really like food, so I’m always impressed by Michelin-starred chefs. It was amazing to observe how  every course is an experience and how chefs always have to reinvent themselves. It’s really similar  to sports – different industries, but the mindset is very close.  

AT  

To finish our interview, I have the last question: Do you have a mission or a set of values that  you’re hoping to pass on to the new generation of Swiss women?  

MK  

Try to be the best version of yourself! Try to find a passion or something you like to do. It doesn’t  have to be something big. It can be something small. But have this passion and try to get better at it.  It should give you joy—even if it’s hard sometimes or you struggle. It gives you energy. You learn so  much about yourself when you search for the best version of yourself. Sometimes, you have to go  against what others expect from you. It is a skill that you can use in many areas of life! 

With the Art of Fusion at the core of HUBLOT’s identity, February 2025 brought yet another bold  expression of this philosophy – taking material fusion a step further by blending innovation with  heritage. HUBLOT cherishes its Swiss origin and draws inspiration directly from it.  

Earlier this year, HUBLOT proudly introduced a new masterpiece to its distinguished Classic Fusion  collection: the Classic Fusion Chronograph Boutique Lucerne, a timepiece inspired by one of  Switzerland’s most cherished historical landmarks — Lucerne’s Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge).  

Dating back to the 14th century, the Chapel Bridge is the oldest covered wooden bridge in Europe  and a lasting symbol of Lucerne’s rich cultural heritage.  

The dial of this exceptional watch features a captivating wood marquetry motif carefully inlaid on a  carbon plate to echo the intricate structure of the Chapel Bridge. Remarkably, the wood used for this  marquetry is sourced directly from the burned remains of the bridge itself — each piece carrying a  part of Lucerne’s cultural memory.  

The Classic Fusion Chronograph Boutique Lucerne reflects the brand’s commitment to fusing  tradition with modern design. This watch is available exclusively at HUBLOT Boutiques in Lucerne,  Zurich, Zermatt and Geneva. Supporting Lucerne’s heritage, HUBLOT will also contribute to  preserving the Chapel Bridge, reinforcing the brand’s dedication to honouring Switzerland’s cultural  and historical legacy.