The Hublot Big Bang Golf Sky Blue Carbon proves it’s all in the wrist
D.C. HannayGolf is big business, with an impact of over US$100 billion in the US alone for 2022. So naturally, the various accoutrements that go along with the sport, including high-tech clubs and accessories, also rake in plenty of cash. Among modern must-have toys for the well-heeled duffer, the Hublot Big Bang Unico Golf Carbon watch is near the top of the list. Debuting in 2017, the Golf was designed in cooperation with U.S. Open and Masters champion Dustin Johnson, and has seen releases in a range of colourways, including orange, yellow, blue, and a fairway-adjacent green joining the more conservative silver and black models. Now, Hublot is back with a brilliant Sky Blue version, a big, bold statement piece perfect for a day on the links.
Among watch complications, a mechanical golf scorekeeper is pretty niche. Most golfers today tend to go for smartwatch solutions, but back in the day, simple clicker-type scorekeepers were worn on the wrist, but they were usually inexpensive items picked up in the local pro shop, and they didn’t tell the time, so a mechanical golf watch was pretty rare. You can’t argue with the convenience of a wrist-mounted scorekeeper, though. High-end golf watches aren’t a new idea, the Cartier Pasha golf watch and the Glashütte Original PanoMaticCounter XL are a couple of rarely-seen flex pieces, but Hublot’s Big Bang Unico Golf Carbon takes the idea and gives it a much sportier profile.
Par for the course (sorry for the dad joke), Hublot’s watches are designed to be noticed, and the Golf is no exception. The new colour gives the case and signature bezel a bright, summery feel, amplified by the Big Bang’s diameter. The sky blue Texalium shimmers in the light, showing off the weave of the carbon, fibreglass, and aluminium composite more dramatically than some of the darker colours in the lineup. Keeping with its sporty nature, the Unico Golf is shock-resistant and water-resistant to 100 metres, which is deeper than any water hazard I’m aware of. Given its size, you might be shocked to learn that the entire watch and strap weighs under 100 grams, due to the high-tech materials at play. The layered construction shifts to black carbon underneath, with case contours that are familiar to fans of the Big Bang. And it is a big watch, measuring 45mm in diameter with a height of 18.2mm, but again, it’s a purpose-built sports watch, so with the unusual complication that’s inside the case, it’s to be expected.
Speaking of the complication, you can keep track of which hole you’re playing, the number of shots on that hole, and your total score, all controlled by pushers at 2, 4, and 8. And here’s a fun fact: the colour-coded pushers at 2 and 4 are shaped like the head of a golf putter! Yes, it’s a high roller’s toy, but a useful one, and intuitive to use. As with any watch that does more than simply tell the time, the Golf is fun to use, and like the bezel on a dive watch or the pushers on a chronograph, you’ll probably catch yourself playing around with it, even if you’re nowhere near a golf course.
You can expect the typical level of craftsmanship that the brand is known for throughout, from the easy-to-read skeletonised dial and handset, to the attractive view of the HUB1580 automatic movement through the sapphire caseback. The movement features a beat rate of 4Hz, 43 jewels, a skeletonised rotor, and a substantial 72-hour power reserve. The movement finishing is clean and modern – not as ornate more traditional Swiss brands, but completely in line with the contemporary aesthetic of the watch.
The strap also aligns with the look, a lightweight stitched rubber and leather number in black and blue, with an embossed carbon fibre texture, and a black ceramic and titanium deployant clasp. If you’re looking to switch things to the included black fabric strap, Hublot makes it easy with their One Click quick release system. One more thing: like previous versions of the Golf, the Sky Blue is a limited edition of 100 pieces, so you’d better pick up your game if you want one.
Hublot Big Bang Unico Golf Sky Blue Carbon pricing and availability
The Hublot Big Bang Unico Golf Sky Blue Carbon is available now, limited to 100 pieces. Price: A$49,000, US$34,300
| Brand | Hublot |
| Model | Big Bang Unico Golf Sky Blue Carbon |
| Reference Number | 416.YE.1120.VR |
| Case Dimensions | 45mm (D) x 18.2mm (T) |
| Case Material | Carbon fibre, Texalium |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Skeletonised |
| Strap | Black/blue rubber and leather |
| Movement | MHUB1580 Unico, in-house, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 72 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, golf hole, shot, and score indicator |
| Availability | Limited to 100 pieces |
| Price | A$49,000, US$34,300 |