Hands-On: How Hublot & Veuve Clicquot Prove Collabs Can Be Tasteful

 There was a time not so long ago when the phrase “limited edition collaboration” would send a chill down the spine of watch lovers. For years we endured thoughtlessly overt branding packaged into carelessly designed watches, but…something has changed in recent years, more specifically since 2020. Quieter, more discreet collaborations are not out of the ordinary these days and that’s a very, very good thing. Still, when I saw that Hublot had done a new piece with LVMH sister brand Veuve Clicquot for the latter's Polo Classic event I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was thrilled to see that, rather than a 2015-era flashback, the new Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic is a discreetly co-branded U.S.A. exclusive that, above anything else, exudes good taste.

For anyone unfamiliar with Hublot’s Spirit of Big Bang collection, this is the tonneau-shaped sport watch that often draws comparisons to Richard Mille for obvious reasons. While the collection officially debuted in 2014, then-CEO Jean-Claude Biver actually launched Hublot’s first tonneau-shaped “Masterpiece” watch back in 2011. If I recall correctly, this was done in a 48mm-wide case that wouldn’t be too far off from the 45mm case size of the debut Spirit of Big Bang. Fortunately, Hublot has kept its finger on the pulse of changing tastes and has stuck to the smaller 42mm wide and 14.1mm thick case used here.

This limited-edition Spirit of Big Bang stands out from the other offerings in the collection by being the only version currently available in forged carbon fiber. The lightweight and highly resilient material is done in a matte frosted finish that looks great and helps keep the dark and moody feel throughout the case and dial, leaving space for the pop of vibrancy from the golden yellow "Veuve" color of the chronograph seconds hand. The skeletonized dial has matching dark hands and subdials, which aren’t really the most legible but I think it’s fair to say that this is a piece all about style rather than practicality.

The movement here also stays within the LVMH family, as the watch's HUB4700 caliber is a reworked version of the Zenith El Primero and operates at 5Hz with a 50-hour power reserve. I must admit to not being the biggest fan of logos printed onto casebacks, though it isn’t too intrusive here, fortunately.

The Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic is limited to 30 pieces, which sounds about right for such a niche watch. There are two strap options, either a black alligator and rubber strap with matching golden yellow stitching or an orange alligator and rubber strap with black stitching. Priced at $33,600, the watch comes with a pretty cool-looking presentation box adorned with Hubot and Veuve Clicquot cross-branding.