Since both fake Hublot and Veuve Clicquot are owned by LVMH, it makes sense that the Swiss watchmaker serves as the Official Timekeeper for the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic from a corporate partnership perspective. For those unfamiliar, Veuve Clicquot is one of the largest and most famous Champagne houses in the world, with a history dating back to 1772. Its classic Yellow Label bottle (which actually appears more like a golden-orange) is a well-recognized option and often one of the finest Champagnes available in grocery stores. Last year, to mark its role as the Official Timekeeper of the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, replica Hublot introduced a limited-edition Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon. Now, for 2024, they have followed it up with the release of the replica Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic watch.
Building on the foundation of the standard Spirit of replica Big Bang Chronograph, the new replica Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic (ref. 642.QK.0110.LR.VCP24) comes with a tonneau-shaped case made from forged carbon with a matte frosted finish. It measures 42mm in diameter and 14.1mm in thickness. Like other models from the Spirit of Big Bang line, this edition has sapphire crystals on both the front and back of the case, with access to the movement provided by a rubberized crown and two angular chronograph pushers on the right side. The watch is water-resistant up to 100 meters, and the rim of the caseback is engraved with its limited-edition number out of 30, alongside the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic logo, which is printed on the underside of the display window.
While I appreciate that replica Hublot has numbered each of the 30 watches individually (rather than using the same generic engraving for all), I’ve never been a fan of having logos or graphics on a display caseback. I believe a custom rotor would have been a more elegant way to highlight the collaboration. Aside from the seconds hand and strap featuring Veuve Clicquot’s distinctive yellow (which actually appears closer to golden orange), the new Spirit of Big Bang Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic primarily resembles an all-black forged carbon version of Hublot’s tonneau-shaped chronograph. It’s worth mentioning that Hublot doesn’t currently offer a forged carbon model in the standard Spirit of Big Bang Chronograph collection, making this Veuve Clicquot edition a bit more special.
The dial and hands of the new replica Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic follow the same design as other chronograph-equipped models in the Spirit of Big Bang series, featuring a transparent sapphire dial with a bright orange seconds hand at the center. The dial’s chapter ring holds the hour markers and minute track, while the chronograph subdials and other elements are finished in black or dark gray to match the forged carbon case. This monochromatic look allows Veuve Clicquot’s orange accents to stand out boldly against the otherwise all-black display.
Like other Spirit of Big Bang Chronographs, the new replica Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic is powered by the Cal. HUB4700 automatic chronograph movement, based on the renowned Zenith El Primero. Operating at 36,000 vibrations per hour (5 Hz) and offering a power reserve of around 50 hours, the HUB4700 isn’t an in-house Hublot design but is still a reliable and celebrated chronograph movement. The watch comes in a special Veuve Clicquot-themed box and includes two rubber straps with either bright orange or black alligator leather, finished with titanium and black ceramic deployant clasps.