You don’t need to be a watch expert to tell there’s a lot going on here, and that’s part of what makes it interesting. At 45mm, it’s got presence. But what really pulls you in is the open dial where you can actually see the movement working beneath the surface. The blue accents, the flyback chronograph, the lightweight titanium, it all works together to create something that feels high-tech but still fun to wear.
The reference number’s a bit of a mouthful – 411.NX.5179.RX – but don’t let that scare you off. This model is part of Hublot’s Unico line, which means it runs on their in-house chronograph movement and features a design that puts the mechanics front and center.
Watch our tour video about the Hublot Big Bang Unico 411.NX.5179.RX.
Before we get into the details, it’s worth looking at how the Big Bang line came to be and why it was such a big shift for Hublot.
Origin & History
To really get this watch, it helps to know where it comes from.
The Big Bang series first launched in 2005, and it shook things up right away. At a time when most brands were sticking to safe formulas, Hublot came out blending rubber straps with gold cases and industrial-style screws on the bezel. It was bold, a little polarizing, and completely different from what anyone else was doing. That mix of materials (what Hublot calls “fusion”) became their signature.
A few years later, they took things even further by introducing the Unico line. This wasn’t just a new style; it brought in Hublot’s first in-house chronograph movement, designed and built entirely under one roof at their manufacture in Nyon. They called it Unico (short for unique) to highlight the fact that this was their own creation from the ground up. It was designed to be seen with an open dial layout that puts the mechanics front and center.
That brings us to this model: the Big Bang Unico Blue Titanium, reference 411.NX.5179.RX. It takes everything that made the original Big Bang stand out – the layered case, the bold bezel, the focus on materials – and updates it with a lighter titanium build, an open dial, and a fresh blue-on-silver color combo that keeps things sharp without going over the top.
And when you get into the case and strap, that’s where the hands-on experience really starts to shine.
Case & Strap
Now let’s talk about what it feels like to handle this watch in the real world.
The case measures 45mm across and is made entirely from grade 5 titanium, which keeps the weight down while still giving it a solid feel. The case surfaces are mostly brushed, with high-polished bevels along its outer edges to give it some extra definition without going full mirror-finish. It is the kind of detailing that adds interest up close but doesn’t scream for attention.
Along the sides of the case, you’ll see black composite resin inserts – these aren’t just for looks. They help form the middle layer of the case and give the watch that signature Big Bang “sandwich” construction. The resin also absorbs some shock and makes the overall design feel more three-dimensional.
The fixed round bezel, also in titanium, is secured with six H-shaped screws that line up in a pattern only Hublot could get away with. It is one of those instantly recognizable design cues that tells you you’re looking at a Big Bang, even from across the room.
The watch is rated for 100 meters of water resistance and features a screw-down crown with a textured rubber ring for easy grip. With that level of water resistance and a secure screw-down crown, it is built to handle more than just everyday wear, whether you’re heading out for a weekend trip or jumping in the pool, this one’s ready to go.
Attached to the case is a blue structured rubber strap that ties in nicely with the dial accents. It is soft but feels durable, and the textured lines give it a sporty, slightly technical look that fits the overall design. The titanium deployant buckle keeps the fit snug, and the strap itself uses Hublot’s quick-release button system – simply press the buttons on the lugs, and the strap pops off. No tools, no fuss. Even if you only ever use one strap, it is a cool feature to have.
It is a case that feels engineered more than decorated, and once you flip the watch over or look through the front, you’ll see exactly what all that engineering is built to support.
Dial Design
Look down at the dial and there’s no mistaking what this watch is all about. The face is made from transparent sapphire, giving you a full view into the movement below – you can actually see the column wheel, gear train, and skeletonized date wheel in action. It is the kind of layout that rewards a closer look, especially if you’ve never worn an openworked chronograph before.
The outer flange ring is finished in deep blue, matching the rubber strap and adding just enough contrast to frame the movement. Around it, you’ll find a mix of applied Arabic numerals and baton hour markers, all filled with lume for low-light readability. Even the hands on the chronograph subdials – a 60-minute counter at 3 o’clock and running seconds at 9 – have lume, which isn’t something you see every day. It is a small touch, but it makes it easier to read in low light.
The central hour and minute hands are skeletonized at the base and filled with luminous material toward the tips. They’re large enough to read at a glance, but designed not to block your view of the dial. The date display sits at 3 o’clock on a transparent wheel, so you see straight through most of it – the white background just highlights the number itself.
There’s a lot going on and that’s by design. But everything has its place, and once your eyes adjust, it becomes easy to follow what’s happening on the dial.
What really ties it all together is knowing that this layout wasn’t just made for show. It is built around the movement underneath, so let’s get into what’s driving it all.
Movement & Functionality
So what’s powering everything you see on the dial?
Inside this watch is the HUB1242 Unico, Hublot’s in-house automatic chronograph movement. Built entirely at their manufacture in Nyon, this caliber runs a column-wheel chronograph with a flyback function, meaning you can stop, reset, and restart the timer in one quick push – no need to go through the usual three-step process. It is a practical feature if you’re timing back-to-back events or just like the smooth reset feel.
The movement beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and delivers a solid 72-hour power reserve, so you can take it off for a long weekend and it’ll still be running when you pick it back up. It also supports hacking seconds, manual winding, and a quick-set date, giving you full control when setting or adjusting the time.
Turn the watch around, and you’ll get a full view of the movement through the exhibition caseback, framed in titanium and covered with sapphire crystal, just like the front. Inside, you’ll spot the tungsten rotor with its dark finish, along with the microblasted anthracite baseplate and ruthenium-coated bridges. It is not just about performance here, Hublot clearly wanted the mechanics to look sharp from every angle.
And for all its complexity, this movement doesn’t feel delicate. Now let’s talk about how all of that translates on the wrist.
On-Wrist Feel
This watch might sound big at 45mm, but once it’s on the wrist, it wears more comfortably than you’d expect. The strap connects smoothly into the case, which helps it sit flat and secure without shifting around. It doesn’t wobble or feel top-heavy, the deployant clasp helps keep even pressure on the strap, so the fit stays consistent throughout the day.
One thing you’ll notice right away is how breathable it feels. The way the strap flares out slightly from the lugs leaves just enough space underneath, which makes a difference when you’re wearing it for hours or in warmer conditions. It gives the watch a more active feel less like a showpiece, more like something you can actually move around in.
And then there’s how it catches your eye throughout the day. The skeletonized dial isn’t just a design flex, it changes depending on how the light hits it. Sometimes you catch the rotor through the front, other times you spot the gear train moving. It’s the kind of detail that doesn’t fade into the background.
All of that comes together to give the watch presence, not because of its size, but because of how alive it feels once you’ve got it on.
| Category | Details |
| Case | – 45mm grade 5 titanium case, mostly brushed with polished bevels. – Black composite resin inserts on the sides. – Fixed round titanium bezel with six H-shaped screws. – 100m water resistance. – Screw-down crown with rubber ring for grip. |
| Strap & Clasp | – Blue structured rubber strap with quick-release button system. – Titanium deployant clasp provides secure fit and consistent tension. |
| Dial | – Transparent sapphire dial with blue flange. – Open-worked dial, exposed column wheel, gear train, and skeletonized date wheel at 3 o’clock. – Luminous applied Arabic numerals and baton markers. – Skeletonized central hands with luminous tips. – Lumed chronograph subdial hands (3 and 9 o’clock). |
| Movement | – HUB1242 Unico automatic movement. – Column-wheel flyback chronograph. – 28,800 vph (4 Hz) – 72-hour power reserve. – Hacking, manual winding, quick-set date. – Visible through the sapphire exhibition caseback. – Microblasted anthracite baseplate, ruthenium-coated bridges, tungsten rotor. |
| Wearing Experience | – Wears lighter than expected due to titanium. – Strap integrates well with case. – Breathable and comfortable over long wear. – Dynamic skeleton dial changes with lighting and angle. – Strong wrist presence driven by design, not just size. |
Not Just Another Big Case
This is the kind of watch you choose because it challenges the usual way watches are designed. From the open dial to the quick-swap strap system, it feels like Hublot built this to stand apart and not to compete.
If you’re someone who appreciates visible mechanics, modern materials, and a watch that feels intentionally contemporary, this one offers something different. It doesn’t try to blend into a collection. It asks for space, and it earns it.
