Sandra‘s Closet

For the fourth time, Hublot celebrates its special relationship with Zermatt, the iconic Swiss Alpine resort town nestled at the base of the Matterhorn. Two original new creations are being released to mark this special occasion.

At first glance, they have nothing in common. On one side is the steep, jagged and rugged shape of the Matterhorn, carved out in rock over hundreds of millions of years. On the other, the mastery of perfect, modern lines by a contemporary manufacture. Yet, once again, Hublot has fused the elements and brought to life a creation that glorifies the silhouette of Switzerland’s most famous mountain within its legendary Big Bang.

However, this is not just any representation of the Matterhorn. It is depicted as it appears from Zermatt, because the Matterhorn has been the main witness to the union between Hublot and the iconic Alpine resort. For the last five years, the two entities have joined forces to celebrate their «Swissness». For example, Hublot has set up the most traditional of its boutiques at the heart of the resort, made entirely from wood in the purest respect for local architectural traditions. The Hublot boutique has since become an integral part of the charm and the magic of the area.

Hublot Boutique in Zermatt

Of course, Hublot, as an advocate for emotions and meaningful connections, was always going to take it to the next level! To reach the summit of the Zermatt ski resort, visitors now take the Hublot-Express (Gant-Blauherd), one of the resort’s most modern cable cars, built in 2016, and reaching an altitude of 2600 metres. The goal? To carve through fresh snow, or powder for more accomplished skiers, and arrive at Chez Vrony, the century-old family restaurant for whom Hublot is also the «Official Timekeeper». Click here for my first time in Zermatt in 2015 or click here to see me wearing the previous model, the Big Bang All Black Zermatt.

The new Big Bang Zermatt is part of this local dynamic, combining the best of Swiss tradition with modern watchmaking. The latest pieces in a collection created in 2017, the two new Big Bangs explore the two faces of watchmaking, like a climber scaling the two iconic faces of the Matterhorn.

Each version is available in a steel case – a return to the basics that has not been used by Hublot in a Zermatt special edition since 2018. The material, which features alternating polished and satin-finished surfaces, echoes the unique reflection of schist, the typical Swiss stone similar to slate which forms a large part of the Matterhorn. The sunray finished dial will illuminate this with an ever-changing light, like the faces of the Matterhorn under the continuously shifting sun.

These two editions both boast the special Big Bang Zermatt feature of which collectors are so fond: the Matterhorn at 9 o’clock on the men’ model, and at 3 o’clock on the ladies’ model. The latter boasts a bezel set with 36 diamonds which also punctuate the hour indices. Each bezel is equipped with screws made from titanium, a material inspired by the needs of mountaineers, whose equipment must be both light and strong. Once again, Hublot has mastered the fusion of substance and shape, colour and material, Alpine and watchmaking symbols.

Both versions are powered by a self-winding chronograph and complimented by two nubuck straps: the first in slate grey, the second in snow white, in a dual tribute to the iconic colours of Zermatt.

The BIG BANG STEEL ZERMATT is available for CHF 14’300.00 and the BIG BANG STEEL DIAMONDS ZERMATT is available for CHF 18’100.00.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Hublot
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HUBLOT sets out to reconquer the Matterhorn – the world-famous emblem of Switzerland. The manufacture has unveiled a new Big Bang «All Black» model. Swiss downhill and slalom champions Corinne Suter and Tanguy Nef represent its two proud faces.

The Matterhorn is the iconic emblem of Switzerland, and brilliantly captures the contrasting faces of its identity. The mountain’s faceted pyramidal form makes it instantly recognisable among the thousands of other Alpine peaks. It is one of the toughest climbs in the world, yet has become synonymous with Alpine family leisure pursuits. Immaculate white slopes gild the hulking mass of rock, born in the first convulsions of the Big Bang and standing defiant against the ravages of time. To celebrate it, HUBLOT created a limited edition loaded with ceramic, a truly extraordinary mineral material.

Underpinned by HUBLOT‘s «invisible visibility» philosophy, only a Big Bang «All Black» could apply to the unfathomable personality of the Matterhorn. To pay tribute to this complexity, HUBLOT presents two versions of the Big Bang All Black Zermatt. The men’s and women’s models are different yet complementary. They represent the two sides of a single identity, a single horological vision, like two faces of the same mountain.

The 44 mm men’s version is available in 100 individually numbered pieces. The microblasted black ceramic case houses the manually wound HUB4100 chronograph, which is visible through the sapphire case back. The Matterhorn’s identity is captured on the dial side: the small seconds hand at 9 o’clock sits atop a relief rendering in immaculate white. The perfect symbol of passing time and absolute, unchanging eternity, soaring above the Matterhorn without ever altering it. A bold, striking contrast that draws the eye to the centre of the anthracite grey sunray dial.

Faithful to the All Black aesthetic, the timepiece is dressed exclusively in black and grey tones: Anthracite applied indices, two broad hands imprinted with black luminescent material, black resin lugs and a black rubber strap with grey calf inserts and deployant buckle.

The 41 mm women’s version symbolises the opposite face, with the Matterhorn emblazoned at 3 o’clock. Available in just 50 individually numbered pieces, it is distinctive for its bezel set with 36 black diamonds. These also beautifully embody the All Black’s characteristic duality, harnessing the customary snow-white sparkle of the diamond and translating it into the deepest black for this ultra-contrasted version. The model features a manually wound chronograph calibre with a 42-hour power reserve and a date window at 4:30.

Wouldn’t it be such a cute Christmas gift idea to get the watch together for each other?! Or for a proposal in the Swiss Alps… a modern way to say yes to each other.

Personally speaking, I love the watch. It is so versatile, it looks great with sporty looks and adds an edge to any sparkling outfit.

Stay tuned for many outfit posts coming up featuring this new black beauty.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Hublot and © David Biedert Photography
DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored.
@hublot #HublotCheerfulGreetings #HublotPerfectGift 

Work it with the colorful prints by Peter Pilotto! Here you see me wearing them in a casual way when I was in Zermatt last month. The London-based label has attracted a huge audience who adores their kaleidoscopic graphic designs in no time. To see how the same prints can be worn in a chic way, click here please.

My look: Geometric print cotton sweatshirt, matching down vest and printed modal and cashmere blend scarf, all by Peter Pilotto, Monogramme embellished shopper tote by Saint Laurent, The Skinny mid-rise jeans by Rag & Bone, biker boots by Miu Miu, Audrey wayfarer sunglasses by Céline and baguette diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

  Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Mid April, I went for the first time in my life to Zermatt where the highest altitude concert stage in Europe hosted the eight edition of the famous musical festival ZERMATT UNPLUGGED.

International stars, such as James Blunt, Anastasia, Patricia Kaas, Travis and many others came to the tiny Swiss car-free mountain village to play in an intimate setting with the unique backdrop of the Matterhorn. No one can escape its fascination and I couldn’t stop taking pictures from different angles.

If you come to Zermatt, I recommend a visit to the lovely mountain restaurant Chez Vrony that offers a stunning view and the perfect atmosphere and don’t miss next year’s Zermatt Unplugged edition (April 5-9, 2016), it’s worth it!

Chez Vrony
Even in winter, you’ll be able to reach the restaurant in 10 minutes on foot from Sunnegga.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht