In 2024, Swiss Super Clone Hublot will unveil a new limited-edition variant of the 44mm Big Bang UNICO x SORAI, marking the third installment in a continuing partnership with SORAI, the organization founded by brand ambassador and former cricketer Kevin Pietersen. Hublot is known for its strong affiliations with brand ambassadors, and this isn’t the first time the brand has created watches to support the initiatives of its close circle. The watches are visually appealing, including model 421.FX.8099.NR.SOA23, which features a gray ceramic case, a dial reflecting the hues of South African sunsets, and a trendy orange and purple camouflage strap.
SORAI, short for “Save our Rhinos Africa India,” aims to promote the protection of rhinoceroses, a species facing severe threats. Interestingly, SORAI functions more as a fundraising initiative rather than a traditional charity. It appears to be focused on producing items, such as this limited-edition replica Hublot watch, to generate funds for the rhino preservation cause. Currently, as indicated on the SORAI website, much of the revenue is directed towards CARE FOR WILD, a significant sanctuary dedicated to the care of rhinos. The SORAI brand has a polished image, featuring an attractive geometric rhino logo that appears on the watch’s 9 o’clock subdial.
The 44mm Big Bang UNICO Clone case is crafted from matte-gray ceramic, likely reflecting the natural coloration of rhinos, all while ensuring animal safety. It has a thickness of 14.5mm and is water-resistant up to 100 meters, protected by a sapphire crystal. The semi-skeletonized dial employs a gradient inspired by sunsets solely for the hour markers, offering a subtle yet playful integration of color.
At the heart of the Replica Big Bang UNICO is Hublot’s proprietary automatic caliber MHUB12800 UNICO 2 movement. This seems to represent an enhancement over a previous version of the UNICO automatic chronograph, although I’ll need to delve deeper for specifics later. The updated 12-hour column-wheel control now includes a flyback function, which I don’t recall being a standard feature in the original UNICO. The movement comprises a 30-minute chronograph, a time display, and a date complication, operating at a frequency of 4Hz with a power reserve of 72 hours, made up of an impressive 354 components.
