Nespresso gave Hublot the challenge of creating a timepiece from their coffee capsules, read all about it in this article.
Introduction
More and more manufacturers are playing the sustainability card, and this is also true for the watch industry.
Since new timepieces used to be synonymous with the use of new raw materials and packaging, the trend toward reuse and sustainability is also a topic that, fortunately, is becoming more and more of a priority.
Consider manufacturers such as Timex, Victorinox, … who partner with #Tide and produce their watch cases and bands from recycled ocean plastic. We also discussed these in a previous article.
In addition, many manufacturers also use recycled precious metals or steel such as Panerai with its e-steel versions. Manufacturing processes are also being modified to use green energy and produce less waste.
The emergence of new partnerships like the one here between Hublot and Nespresso indicates that different markets are finding each other to work together for a better future for us and the planet.
Nespresso, with its recycling program (Nespresso Second Life), has long been looking for new ways to reuse the capsules that become waste after making your perfect cup of coffee as raw material for new products. Here, a partnership with Hublot, also a Swiss company, is a new initiative to creatively use waste back as raw material for the creation of a new luxury product.
The Timepiece
The Hublot Big Bang Unico Nespresso Origin is a new timepiece in which the case material, bezel, crown and pushers are largely made from the aluminum material of the Nespresso capsules.
The rubber and Velcro fabric watch bands are made in part from the coffee grounds from Nespresso capsules.
For the fabric strap, Hublot collaborated with SINGTEX, one of Nespresso’s partners that already used recycled coffee grounds to produce a fabric called S.Café.
The launch of the Unico Nespresso was also the occasion for Hublot to introduce a brand new packaging, the Greenbox. Made of oak wood including the hinges, this box is composed mainly of solid, traceable wood, both the origin and production of which promote short supply chains.
The Greenbox is designed as a reusable item, with 98% of its removable interior made from eco-friendly and recycled components more specifically PET plastic yarn and eco-labeled recycled paper and cardboard.
For the collaboration with Nespresso, the Hublot Greenbox case was specially decorated with the logos of both brands applied with coffee grounds.
The Greenbox is not just for this collaboration but will be used for all of Hublot’s watch collections in the future.
The Big Bang Unico, as the name somewhat gives away, is powered by Hublot’s in house HUB1280, Unico 2 movement. Introduced in 2018, the Unico 2 is an iteration of the unico 1 movement, Hublot’s first in house caliber, with the main difference being that the latest version is 1.3mm thinner making the case slimmer and more comfortable.
The Hub1280 is an automatic flyback column wheel chronograph.
A unique feature of this caliber is the view of the column wheel from the dial side of the movement.
In addition, the movement has a power reserve of 72 hours.
Because the dial is skeletonized, we can admire the beautiful interior both from the front and from the bottom through the transparent caseback.
The Big Bang Unico Nespresso Origin is a limited edition with an edition of 200.
Specifications
CASE
42mm diameter, satinized and polished Green Anodized Recycled Aluminum, 100m (10 ATM) water resistant. Anti-reflective sapphire crystal.Matte green skeleton dial with seconds hand and date indicator. Flyback Chrono function. Green lined rubber with coffee beads. Additional strap:Green velcro S.Cafe Fabric
MOVEMENT
Hublot HUB1280 in house movement with 72-hour power reserve, Frequency: 28’800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz)
Functions : Hours, minutes, small seconds at 9:00, 60 minute chronograph counter at 3:00, center flyback chronograph seconds, date at 3:00. Date display.
PRICE
25200 Euro
REFERENCE
441.UG.5220.RX.NES23
Conclusion
If you are a coffee lover that always was looking for a green watch alternative that makes the planet a little better, here’s your chance. With the limited edition of only 200 pieces, you have to be quick to get yours.