Experience Unparalleled Texture: Hublot's Big Bang Soft Touch Redefines Luxury

Innovation in Watchmaking: Beyond Traditional Mechanics

The world of luxury horology constantly seeks advancements, not just in intricate movements but also in materials and sensory engagement. Hublot stands out in this pursuit, consistently introducing novel textures, vibrant hues, and unique materials to elevate the high-end watch experience. The brand's extensive history of material innovation is unparalleled among contemporary watchmakers, often revisiting and reinterpreting existing materials like carbon and ceramics in new and exciting ways. For 2026, Hublot has turned its attention to rubber, introducing a revolutionary "Soft Touch" treatment through a sophisticated micro-perforation process.

The Genesis of Soft Touch: A New Era for Rubber in Luxury Watches

Historically, rubber's role in luxury sports watches was largely functional, providing grip and wear resistance on crowns and pushers, typically in black. While rubber remains a popular choice for straps, its application in watch cases has been limited, with few exceptions like the NORQAIN Wild ONE. Hublot's Soft Touch rubber transcends these traditional uses, extending its velvety smoothness across the entire Big Bang Original watches, including their faces. This innovative material mimics light-absorbing substances like Vantablack, creating an exceptionally deep black and striking contrast with polished elements, yet, unlike Vantablack, it is designed to be touched and enjoyed.

The Science Behind the Sensation: Micro-Perforation Technology

The Big Bang Original Soft Touch watches, available in striking all-black and all-red variants, feature titanium cores enveloped in this specially treated rubber. The rubber is meticulously micro-perforated with tiny, almost imperceptible holes. These perforations serve a dual purpose: they impart a smooth, velvet-like feel to the rubber's surface, offering a truly delightful tactile interaction for the wearer. Additionally, these minute holes effectively trap light, reducing reflection and making the watch's form and details appear sharper and more defined. This optical effect enhances the watch's aesthetic presence, giving it a bold and captivating look.

A Distinctive Aesthetic: Soft Touch Versus Ceramic Finishes

When comparing the new Soft Touch models with other Hublot creations, such as the All Black Ceramic, the visual similarities are apparent from a distance. However, upon closer inspection and touch, the unique qualities of the Soft Touch treatment become evident. Its originality sets it apart, offering a fresh and visually arresting experience. While the long-term durability of the material is yet to be fully assessed (though reports suggest it holds up well), the immediate impression is one of remarkable novelty. Many consider these Soft Touch versions to be among the most compelling Hublot Big Bang designs to date.

The Enduring Legacy of the Big Bang Original Series

The underlying Hublot Big Bang Original models, first launched in 2025 as a 20th-anniversary tribute, have since been rebranded to reflect their inspiration from earlier Big Bang designs. These watches, however, are thoroughly contemporary in their construction and technology. They boast a 43mm wide and 13.2mm thick case, offering 100 meters of water resistance. The dial and caseback are protected by flat sapphire crystals. Equipped with Hublot's convenient One Click strap release system, the watches house the in-house caliber HUB1280 Unico automatic chronograph movement. This movement operates at 4Hz and provides a three-day power reserve, establishing itself as a top-tier chronograph in its price segment. The enhanced functionality of the chronograph pushers on these modern Big Bang Original models represents a significant improvement over previous ETA-based Hublot chronographs.

Care and Future Prospects of Soft Touch Technology

While the Soft Touch rubber offers a luxurious feel and striking visual depth, it does tend to attract lint and dirt. Fortunately, the material is cleanable, though it requires a specific process involving water and a suitable brush or cloth. This is comparable to the maintenance of velvet fabrics, with the added benefit that rubber can be wet-cleaned more easily. Currently, the initial Big Bang Soft Touch watches are not limited editions, suggesting that Hublot plans to expand the Soft Touch range with additional color options in the future, such as yellow or purple. The solid dial of the Big Bang Original provides an ideal canvas for showcasing this innovative material. It will be fascinating to observe the watch community's reception to wearing and interacting with Hublot's groundbreaking Soft Touch perforated rubber-over-titanium application. The reference 431.RXR.2770.RX.VEL (All Red) and reference 431.RXN.2740.RX.VEL (All Black) Hublot Big Bang Original Soft Touch watches are priced at $24,900 USD. For more information, please visit the Hublot website.