Hublot, at 40 years old still the enfant terrible of horology, has pioneered the melding of tradition and innovation, of making bold moves on cutting-edge materials as it deploys its ethos of ‘art of fusion’. The Swiss brand’s latest release, the Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Orange Sapphire, delivers a triple whammy of firsts. Having mastered the creation and machining of sapphires to create a transparent watchcase in a spectrum of bright, transparent colours – including yellow, blue, red, and black – the latest addition to the through-tinted palette is a glorious orange.

The cheery colour has been achieved in Hublot’s own metallurgy and materials laboratory by incorporating titanium and chromium in a skilful manufacturing process. This technical and aesthetic feat is matched by the engineering of its new tourbillon movement. Rare for a tourbillon, the timepiece is equipped with self-winding – ensuring a minimum power reserve of three days ­– and features a reimagined architecture, which allows the visibility of the grey gold micro-rotor on the dial side along with three sapphire bridges, another first. The transparent orange rubber strap with a lined relief offers Hublot’s One Click interchangeability system.

Available in a limited edition of just 50 pieces, the finely polished orange sapphire is a dynamic and unexpected shade that brings fresh and welcome invention into the world of horology. For Ricardo Guadalupe, Hublot’s CEO, this new watch defines the expression of the art of fusion: ‘Hublot has produced a new exceptional innovation by unveiling the world’s very first case in orange sapphire. Our manufacture has also reaffirmed its watchmaking expertise by unveiling a new automatic tourbillon calibre, entirely designed and manufactured in-house, and on which the spectacular visible dial side architecture underscores the innovative design of the watch.’

£140,000; hublot.com