Since 2016, Hublot has celebrated each Chinese new year with an artfully rendered special edition of the Spirit of Big Bang. Reinterpreting these symbolic animals in contemporary and unexpected ways, Hublot has crafted an ornate rendition of the snake that extends from the dial to the case and even the strap in the Spirit of Big Bang Year of the Snake, a limited edition of 88 pieces.

The Spirit of Big Bang’s signature open dial revealing the inner working of the chronograph movement is inhabited by a golden snake. Striking and three-dimensional, the gold-plated snake is crafted with lifelike details that have been engraved with astounding precision thanks to the latest advancements in laser technologies. Carefully positioned as if slithering around the chronograph’s three counters, the serpent immediately catches the eye and intrigues.

The black barrel-shaped ceramic case features Hublot’s patented One-Click strap changing mechanism, and is topped by a screwed ceramic bezel that is engraved to reveal a pattern of snake scales. This pattern extends to the black rubber strap, which has a uniquely velvet finish with a slight shimmer, even though it is entirely made of a single piece of rubber with an innovative embossing technique.

The Spirit of Big Bang Year of the Snake is powered by the Hublot automatic skeleton chronograph calibre HUB4700, which is modernized descendant of the historic and highly prized El Primero, considered the first Swiss high-frequency integrated chronograph calibre ever made. Visible from both the open dial and sapphire display back, the movement hosts a number of technical innovations and advancements compared to the original from 1969, including a low-friction silicon escape wheel.

A limited edition of 88 pieces, the Spirit of Big Bang Year of the Snake is available at Hublot boutiques and authorized retailers around the world.