Almost 10 years old... the story behind the watch that started my passion for Hublot
andrewluff
This is one of the most precious watches I own. It is not at all related to the monetary value of the piece but I can truly say that I have had the pleasure of owning it for almost 10 years and it is the one watch which started my long path with Hublot as well as collecting watches in general. I am talking about my iconic Hublot Big Bang Black Magic.
The watch has certainly kept with the times, verses the long forgotten Nokia 9500!!
I still clearly remember the day I ordered it, months of looking at Hublot advertising on the streets of Geneva and finally pushing that button to pay the deposit to be on the waiting list! At the time, this was the most expensive luxury item I had ever bought myself and it really took some saving, but I knew from the first time I saw it that I wanted it and the 3 to 4 month wait list at the time was like torture. The day I received that phone call to say that it had been received from the manufacture, I was like a small boy on Christmas Eve waiting for Santa Claus to visit.
Not wanting to sound like a marketing person for Hublot, but I have often heard Jean-Claude Biver say... Be First, Be Unique, Be Different... and this watch to me ticked all the boxes when it was released, amongst Hublotistas it is still classed as one of the iconic Hublots to own.
So what is it that drew me in... pure marketing? It is much more than that, I fell in love with the design of the Big Bang the first time I saw it, the use of cutting edge materials, the rubber tyre grip strap, the sporty look and even the size… and the Black Magic was the one for me! It was bigger and bolder than anything else out there in the market at the time, it was like a breath of fresh air against the elite old fashioned brands marketing themselves around town.
I remember the first time I strapped the 44mm timepiece to my wrist... it was MASSIVE!!! Not only was the size huge, but also being a big black block of ceramic and rubber, this was one stand out watch on the wrist. By modern standards, this is now classed as a normal size watch and I find it small on my wrist compared to my everyday 46mm King Power.
This watch has travelled around the world with me from adventures on every continent, it has been on dive boats in unchartered water in the middle of the pacific and almost reached the North Pole… in contrast, it has also been on my wrist during business deals and even when I decided to step out of the corporate world to work for myself. It has also seen both my children being born and been played with by them (to a telling off from me)... however due to the ceramic case, it still looks like new ... not one scratch!
Who would have known that the purchase all those years back would have lead to the amazing things I have done with the brand. From attending events, moderating their forums, meeting fantastic people (who are now friends for life), organising dinners around the world for the brand and being the ambassador for their Hublotista platform, all of which have been truly wonderful experiences. More important than all this over these years is my friendship with Jean-Claude Biver, who I can honestly say is a true legend and visionary in the watchmaking world, it is an honour for me to have been able to spend so much time in his company and to call him a friend.
Wearing it today to drop the kids off at activities, it still looks and feels like new.
Do I have any regrets at all in buying it... not one!
To be perfectly honest, I don't wear it often but like today when I put it on, I still love everything about it and don't have one regret in making the choice all those years ago. This special watch is destined to be passed onto my son... it is not the normal Rolex that people expect to be handed down, but it is even more special to me for it holds a wealth of memories, good times and the friendships built while it has been on my wrist.
Anyway... I hope you enjoyed my Black Magic story... here's to the next 10 years with it on my wrist 
Cheers
Andrew
This message has been edited by andrewluff on 2016-06-02 06:19:34
Comments:
41northpole June 2nd, 2016-06:45
Nice write up Andrew And not a hint of Orange All the very best Tim
andrewluff June 2nd, 2016-06:49
Thanks Tim! If it were Rolex they would say something like it being a pre-Daytona model... for me it was a Pre-Orange model! I was trying to find a photo of the group visiting the manufacture to include, but not sure where that went on the numerous hard drives etc. W...
KIH June 2nd, 2016-06:54
A great story, Andrew! Now they understand how people start getting attracted to Hublot! Thanks for sharing a wonderful story. Ken
andrewluff June 2nd, 2016-10:03
Thanks Ken I had put in on yesterday and then realised how long I actually owned this watch for! I wouldn't say its my favourite watch to wear day in and out... but it certainly is one of my most precious. Cheers Andrew
zabreg1 Mr White June 2nd, 2016-08:17
Wonderful story. I have the same exact watch and have also had it for 10 years now. I still wear it everyday. It is by far the most comfortable piece to wear, even if my small wrists usually have smaller diameter watches. I love this watch, it has been with me everywhere ...
andrewluff June 2nd, 2016-10:02
Watch brothers from a different mother... but the same manufacture! I agree with you... it was really great in the early days when no one knew what it was! It was just seen as a cool watch without worrying about getting robbed. I am glad to hear you have been using it like me... as it was meant to be used Cheers Andrew
zabreg1 Mr White June 4th, 2016-03:18
It is pretty cool to 'discover' something new before everyone else does. But, aside from that, the watch is, to me, something special. Not only for the way we perceive Hublot and the ushering of large diameters, but just the way it feels. I am also very happy with the qual...
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andrewluff
Its Friday! So I think the Unico Sapphire All Black is the best way to start my weekend!
andrewluff
I am first to admit that I was not an instant fan when I first saw this watch at Baselworld this year, I just really didn't get it and saw it as being overshadowed by the clear sapphire version. However this has changed... the more occasions that I had a chance to see this novelty, the more I realise how special it is! Not only as it is a tribute to the original all black concept by Hublot which has its 10th anniversary this year, but the technical aspects of making this smoky black crystal (it is not an applied coating to the crystal as has been used in the past). I I now realise it works for so many reasons, one big one is the ability to read the time! Lets face it, it is not easy at all on the full clear sapphire version or any of the original All Black's which unless in bright sunshine are not easy (but I am the first to point out to people that is what a cellphone is for!)! This one is a little better as the clear hands reflect the light and give contrast to the smoky black crystal...
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