When two brands from completely different worlds come together, the result is often more curiosity than chemistry. But when Hublot partnered with Nespresso, a pioneer in coffee innovation and recycling, the outcome was far more intentional. Both companies share a drive to push boundaries – Hublot with how watches are made, and Nespresso with how used materials can be transformed into something useful again.
That shared mindset led to the creation of the Big Bang Unico Nespresso Origin – a limited-edition chronograph made using recycled Nespresso aluminum capsules and even coffee grounds. Nearly every part of the 42mm watch, from the case and bezel to the straps, features materials that once served entirely different roles. It proves that you don’t have to choose between good looks and good impact – smart design brings them into one.
Visually, the watch stands out with its deep green color inspired by Nespresso’s “Master Origins Peru Organic” capsule. But this release is about more than just looks. Hublot’s team spent over a year in research and development to make sure seven different components – metal, rubber, fabric, and more – matched in color and stayed durable over time. That included testing material blends, refining the finishing process, and ensuring long-term durability. It was a careful process, and the result speaks for itself.
To understand how this watch came to life, let’s start with the story behind the collaboration.
Watch our tour video about Hublot Big Bang Unico Nespresso 441.UG.5220.RX.NES23.
From Coffee Capsules to Chronograph: How the Hublot Big Bang Unico Nespresso Origin Began
Hublot, known for working with materials like carbon fiber, ceramic, and sapphire, saw a unique opportunity: not just to reuse discarded elements, but to engineer them into something as demanding as a mechanical chronograph. That meant finding ways to forge recycled aluminum into a case and bezel, and turning coffee grounds into something durable enough to wear.
Over the course of a full year, the development teams from both brands worked together to test, refine, and stabilize each component – making sure the colors stayed consistent, the materials held up to wear, and everything met the standards expected of a mechanical chronograph. The goal was to take something as unexpected as coffee grounds and capsule aluminum and shape them into parts that could function like any other element in a high-performance watch.
The final product isn’t just a green-colored Big Bang – it is a 200-piece limited edition that breaks new ground in how recycled materials are used in fine watchmaking. The Nespresso Origin goes beyond surface-level sustainability. From the case to the packaging, every element was thoughtfully made to carry form and purpose.
And that all begins with the case and straps.
Recycled Aluminum & Coffee Grounds: Building the Big Bang Unico Nespresso Case and Straps
With the concept in place, the next challenge was turning recycled materials into something structurally sound and visually consistent. Hublot approached this with the same mindset it brings to all Big Bang models, treating the case not just as a housing for the movement, but as an expressive part of the design itself.
The 42mm case is crafted from recycled aluminum and anodized in a vivid green that references Nespresso’s Master Origins Peru Organic capsule. About 28% of the alloy comes directly from used Nespresso capsules. That green finish extends beyond the main body to include the bezel, crown, and chronograph pushers, all of which are satin-brushed and polished to bring out texture and contrast.
To add durability, the inner container and caseback are made from Eco-Titanium – recycled titanium chosen for its strength and corrosion resistance. The result is a case that wears light but feels solid, combining two recycled metals in a way that keeps the form visually unified.
The Nespresso influence continues on the straps. This edition includes two interchangeable options via Hublot’s One-Click system: a structured green rubber strap that mixes 4.1% coffee grounds with 8.2% recycled white rubber, and a Velcro-style strap made from Scafé, a textile created by SingTex that blends 5% coffee grounds with 95% recycled polyester. Both straps were developed with wearability and a unified appearance right down to the recycled aluminum loop on the Velcro strap and the anodized green clasp hardware.
This thoughtful pairing of materials and finishes makes the watch feel cohesive across components, but it is the dial that reveals the most intricate details of the watch.
The Green Openworked Dial That Defines the Big Bang Unico Nespresso
While the case and strap define the outer character, the dial is where color, texture, and mechanics all come together. To keep everything visually aligned, Hublot spent a year working on color matching across seven different surfaces – like anodized aluminum, dial varnish, rubber, and fabric – each of which absorbs and reflects color differently. The goal was to make the green finish look consistent, whether it appeared on polished metal or matte textile.
The openworked dial, finished in matte green, puts the mechanics front and center. Through the skeletonized cutouts, you can see parts of the movement in motion – something longtime Big Bang fans will recognize. Large, lume-filled Arabic numerals give the dial its structure, while chronograph subdials at 3 and 9 o’clock provide balance and symmetry. A date window is tucked neatly at 3 o’clock, blending in without disrupting the overall layout.
Everything visible – from the dial and hands to the small markers – follows the same deep green palette that begins with the case. And yet, nothing feels flat. Its layered build gives the dial dimension, combining matte finishes, brushed contours, and polished edges that each highlight a different part of the display.
This layout is built around the movement underneath, which plays a more active visual role here than in many traditional chronographs.
The HUB1280 Engine: Inside the Big Bang Unico Nespresso Origin Chronograph
Behind the dial’s layered construction is where the engine of this watch truly takes shape. Powering the Big Bang Unico Nespresso Origin is the HUB1280, Hublot’s in-house automatic flyback chronograph. Designed for performance and visual engagement, it keeps accurate time while offering a view into its 354-part mechanism.
This movement runs at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz) and stores up to 72 hours of power when fully wound. Built with a column wheel and vertical clutch, the chronograph starts and stops more smoothly than traditional cam-operated systems – especially important when precision matters during repeated timing.
What makes the HUB1280 stand out is not just how it performs, but how it’s showcased. The movement is partially visible from both sides: through the skeleton dial on the front, and through the sapphire caseback on the reverse. This design allows you to see the column wheel in action from the dial side, a feature few chronographs offer.
The rotor itself is also skeletonized, staying true to the open architecture of the watch. And because the movement is slightly slimmer than earlier Unico calibers, it contributes to a more balanced fit on the wrist – something that becomes more apparent once the watch is worn.
Wearing the Hublot Big Bang Unico Nespresso
The Nespresso Origin wears lighter than its bold design might suggest. With a 42mm diameter and 14.5mm thickness, it has a strong presence on the wrist – but the recycled aluminum case keeps the weight light, making it suitable for long days or warmer climates where heavier cases can feel tiring.
The rubber strap, made from a mix of recycled white rubber and 4.1% coffee grounds, has a soft texture with visible flecks from the organic material. It’s pliable yet structured. The second strap, made from Scafé fabric – a recycled textile developed by SingTex – offers a lighter and more breathable option. Its Velcro-style closure feels casual and secure, and both straps can be swapped easily thanks to Hublot’s One-Click system.
The case sits evenly on medium to larger wrists, helped by the slimmer HUB1280 movement and lightweight Eco-Titanium caseback. The green finish, inspired by Nespresso’s Peru Organic capsule, gives the watch its personality and reinforces the story behind its materials – without feeling overdone.
It is a wearable piece with an unconventional mix of materials, built for collectors who appreciate thoughtful design choices.
Quick Specs: Big Bang Unico Nespresso at a Glance
| Category | Details |
| Case | 42mm case made of recycled aluminum, anodized in green (28% from Nespresso capsules) Satin-brushed and polished bezel, crown, and pushers Eco-Titanium inner container and caseback for strength and corrosion resistance |
| Straps | Two interchangeable straps via Hublot’s One-Click system: rubber strap (4.1% coffee grounds + 8.2% recycled white rubber) and Scafé fabric Velcro strap (5% coffee grounds + 95% recycled polyester) Anodized green clasp and recycled aluminum loop |
| Dial | Matte green openworked dial Consistent color achieved across 7 materials Large lume-filled Arabic numerals Chronograph subdials at 3 & 9 o’clock Date at 3 o’clock Layered construction for dimension with brushed, matte, and polished textures |
| Movement | HUB1280 automatic flyback chronograph 28,800 vph (4Hz) 72-hour power reserve Column wheel and vertical clutch Visible through skeleton dial and sapphire caseback Skeletonized rotor Slimmer build for balanced wrist fit |
| On-Wrist Feel | Lightweight feel due to aluminum case and Eco-Titanium caseback 42mm diameter, 14.5mm thick Rubber strap with visible organic flecks Breathable Scafé fabric strap with Velcro Designed for all-day wear and mid-to-large wrists |
Why This Watch Matters More Than You Think
What makes the Big Bang Unico Nespresso Origin stand out isn’t just the use of recycled materials – it is how those materials were transformed into something genuinely functional, expressive, and worth wearing. This wasn’t a side project or an experiment with branding. It was a full-scale effort to rethink how familiar materials like aluminum and coffee grounds could be reworked into something mechanically and visually compelling.
Everything about this watch – from the aluminum case and coffee-infused straps to the layered green dial – was carefully developed to meet the demands of a true mechanical chronograph. And yet, it doesn’t feel like a typical limited edition. It feels like a conversation about where luxury can go next.
With just 200 pieces available worldwide, the Nespresso Origin offers more than rarity, it offers a story worth telling every time it’s worn.
