Verdant Rendering: Hublot and Nespresso Come Together for Upcycled Materials Timepiece
By The Time Place Magazine
This year, Hublot ups the ante with a truly innovative undertaking: create a timepiece that uses recycled materials comprised of Nespresso aluminium capsules and coffee grounds. Totally original and unprecedented, this move by the well-respected watch manufacturer takes its power of creation to new heights.
Joining forces with world-renowned coffee brand, Nespresso, Hublot takes on the seemingly insurmountable challenge of incorporating recycled aluminium coffee capsules (and coffee grounds to boot) in the manufacturing of its new timepiece and proudly presents the Big Bang Unico Nespresso Origin. Certainly unheard of before in haute horology, this unique partnership between the two Swiss icons signifies a move into the realm of upcycling and attests to the incomparable breadth of the two companies’ production processes.
At first glance, the Big Bang Unico Nespresso Origin takes one’s breath away by its vibrant green colour, which pays tribute to the Master Origins Peru Organic capsule. Blended masterfully to guarantee the strength and durability of the product, the case of the 42 mm watch is crafted of recycled aluminium, 28% of which is derived from Nespresso coffee capsules, anodised in vibrant green, then satin finished and polished. The crown and pusher undergo the same treatment. The bottom of the case and the container are both made from Eco-Titanium (recycled titanium). The titanium deployant buckle of the rubber strap, with its decorative recycled aluminium cap, and the sport buckle of the Velcro strap are also in the same anodised green colour.
To create the durable rubber strap, Hublot painstakingly balanced the ratio of each ingredient, fusing 4.1% coffee grounds, 8.2% recycled white rubber and the usual Hublot formula, to achieve the perfect colour and quality, while for the fabric strap, the esteemed watch manufacture collaborated with SingTex, one of Nespresso’s partners which was already using recycled coffee grounds to produce a fabric called Scafé. This 100% recycled fabric (composed of 5% coffee grounds and 95% recycled polyester) is being used for the first time to make a watch strap.
Hublot and Nespresso worked closely together for a year to finally arrive at the perfect harmony of colours between seven different materials that make up the watch—from its case to its straps—to ensure a uniformity of colour that not only stands the test of time, but endures indefinitely.
In line with the upcycling theme of the timepiece, the Big Bang Unico Nespresso Origin will be presented in the Hublot Greenbox case, a novel container developed by the watchmaking manufacturer that will be used for all its watch collections in the future. Crafted of oak, including its hinges, it is carved from mostly massive, traceable wood, the sourcing and manufacture of which both promote short supply chains. Designed to be something that can be reused, the box has a removable interior made from eco-friendly and recycled components. Ninety-eight percent of the materials used in the box’s creation include recycled fabrics, plastic yarns and PET, as well as recycled paper and cardboard that are co-labelled. To symbolise the collaboration between the two Swiss brands, the box is especially adorned with their logos using coffee grounds.
A symbolic offering, the Big Bang Unico Nespresso Origin is a representation of what thoughtful creation can lead to. It affirms the idea that something of value can be produced out of recycled materials, including a beautiful and efficient watch that shows that circularity has no limits. Truly a brilliant undertaking, this timely partnership between Hublot and Nespresso signifies a revolutionary step into sustainability and the future of watchmaking.
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