ReviewSaving Rhinos, One Timepiece At A Time: Presenting Hublot’s New Big Bang Unico SORAI

Beyond the savoir faire and their quest to use unconventional materials to deliver intricate, awe-inspiring designs is Hublot’s conservation initiative that aims to protect rhinoceroses from poaching in Africa and India. By partnering with Save Our Rhinos Africa India (SORAI) and former international cricket star Kevin Pietersen, Hublot are able to use their influence and resources to help raise awareness about the plight of rhinos, make efforts to protect the endangered species, and demonstrate their commitment to having a positive impact on the world. In 2019, Hublot marked the beginning of their alliance with the unveiling of the first Big Bang Unico SORAI edition, which met its new SORAI sibling in 2021. Now, for the third limited-edition Big Bang Unico SORAI watch, Hublot have selected colours that evoke the hues of the sunset, reminding us of the growing peril faced by rhinos as darkness descends.

The Watch That Brings Hope: Hublot Big Bang Unico SORAI

LVMH Watch Week 2023 was a showcase of the best in horology from the top four watch brands of the LVMH Group. However, one watch that stole the show, especially for its noble cause, was the Big Bang Unico SORAI from Hublot.

This exquisite timepiece sits inside a 44mm case made from polished and micro-blasted rhino-grey ceramic, especially realised for this limited edition. It encases a skeleton dial that presents vivid hues, featuring colours that are inspired by the warmth of the sunset, which is a reminder of the challenges faced by rhinos as the night approaches, as well as the hope that a new day brings. The watch face also shows a ‘rhinoceros’ applique at nine o’clock.

This watch is a symbol of Hublot’s unwavering support for rhino conservation through their alliance with SORAI and is also a classic example of the brand’s signature style, with bold contrasts in textures and materials, particularly its monochromatic case. A limited edition of only 100 pieces, the watch presents a black ceramic element that protects the mid-case, along with the crown-and-pusher module. Water-resistant up to 100m, the case is fitted with antireflective sapphire crystal, while the caseback features a micro-blasted grey ceramic and sapphire crystal with the SORAI logo.

A limited edition of only 100 pieces, the Big Bang Unico SORAI presents a black ceramic element that protects the mid-case, along with the crown-and-pusher module

Despite its 14.5mm height and substantial diameter, the short lugs with their gorgeous curves make it comfortable to wear on the wrist. The heart of this magnificent timepiece is the automatic HUB1280 Unico manufacture movement with a column wheel flyback chronograph, offering a power reserve of approximately 72 hours. The versatility of the Big Bang Unico SORAI is further enhanced by its patented one-click interchangeable-strap system, which allows the wearer to switch between a classic grey fabric strap and a bold black rubber strap with black, orange, and purple camouflage décor.

Hublot And SORAI

SORAI are an innovative and socially responsible organisation that unite forward-thinking brands and their passionate audiences in a shared mission to safeguard one of the planet’s most endangered species. Established in 2018 by renowned cricketer and devoted conservationist Kevin Pietersen, SORAI have forged an empowering alliance with Hublot, giving rise to the exceptional Big Bang Unico SORAI timepieces.

Owning one of these SORAI editions means showing your dedication to wildlife conservation. A large portion of the funds raised from the sales goes to the largest rhino sanctuary in the world, Care for Wild, ensuring the nurturing and protection of orphaned baby rhinos. Additionally, this support bolsters the South African National Parks (SANParks) agency’s capacity to employ cutting-edge airborne thermal intelligence technology, amplifying its ability to patrol and safeguard precious natural habitats under the cloak of night.

Rhinos are hunted for their highly valuable horns and it is speculated that two-thirds of the species could be lost in our lifetime

Hublot is using its global reach and reconfirming its support for Kevin Pietersen and SORAI with the release of a new edition of the Big Bang Unico SORAI

The collaboration between Hublot and SORAI gives huge amounts of visibility to an incredible cause

Hublot has joined hands with former cricketer Kevin Pietersen (right) and SORAI to protect the rhinoceros, a species that is facing extinction

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“Our actions on the ground—surveillance teams and equipment to prevent poaching, rhino sanctuaries, and refuges—are vital. However, in order to act, we first need to raise public awareness, increase publicity and make this a visible cause,” expounds Pietersen. “Hublot are helping us on the ground by donating proceeds from the sale of the Big Bang Unico SORAI, and by lending the brand’s voice to our cause to bring to it global attention. In the three years since we began this joint venture, it has yielded concrete results.”

The inaugural release of the Big Bang Unico SORAI timepiece showcased a beige ceramic case, capturing the essence of the South African bush during winter months. It was followed by another exclusive edition in green ceramic, which drew inspiration from the natural colours of the bush in summer. As with its predecessors, proceeds from the sale of the 2023 SORAI watch will be pumped directly into SORAI-supported initiatives, including equipping helicopters with cameras, promoting anti-poaching education in schools, and reinforcing ranger support on the ground.

The colours chosen for the third limited-edition Big Bang Unico SORAI are those of a sunset, where the sun is a symbol of hope, of a new dawn

“We have used our limited editions to help Kevin Pietersen gain access to more state-of-the-art technologies on the ground, put together more surveillance teams, as well as rescue injured or orphaned rhinos, with the single shared aim of shielding this endangered species,” says Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO Hublot. “We have raised $2 million to be able to have an impact in helping, by giving instruments to the rangers, by financing sanctuaries for the small rhinos who will be reintroduced to the wild later, and so on. So that was our approach—to choose one project, but do something strong with it.”