Hublot and Nespresso, two Swiss icons, have joined forces on an exceptional project: the creation of a Big Bang timepiece based on recycling and circularity. This watch is the first to be made using recycled Nespresso aluminium capsules and coffee grounds – Hublot Big Bang Unico Nespresso Origin.
As part of its Second Life initiatives over the last seven years, Nespresso has partnered with prestigious Swiss brands to create new products from used aluminium capsules. The Big Bang Unico Nespresso Origin, the result of the partnership between Hublot and Nespresso, shares the values of innovation, excellence and sustainability, which are at the core of both brands. Founded in 1980, Hublot is renowned for its Art of Fusion, developing new alloys, materials and composites, pushing the boundaries of different materials and placing rubber at the heart of the watchmaking industry by using it for its straps. And, since 1986, Nespresso has not only revolutionised the Art of Coffee with its portioned system that perfectly blends precision with an unforgettable taste, but has also added even greater value with its recycling system, designed in 1991, that separates the aluminium from the coffee grounds, enabling each component to be repurposed. And that’s how a coffee capsule can now become a watch, from strap to case.
This is a world first: Hublot’s and Nespresso’s pioneering spirit has transformed used coffee grounds from the capsules into watch straps. The recycled aluminium fused with the aluminium capsules become the case, the bezel, the crown and the pusher.
This is an unprecedented collaboration, signaled by Nespresso’s iconic “N” engraved on the crown, and its iconic colour – a nod to the Master Origins Peru Organic capsule. The density of the two materials is expertly blended to ensure the durability of the product. The Big Bang Unico Nespresso Origin’s 42-mm case is crafted in recycled aluminium, of which 28% comes 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.
The Big Bang Unico Nespresso Origin takes the recycled coffee grounds from Nespresso capsules and applies the magic of Hublot’s patented One Click interchangeable strap system to them. To create the rubber strap, Hublot has skilfully balanced the ratio of each ingredient to achieve the perfect colour and quality. For the fabric strap, Hublot has collaborated with SingTex, one of Nespresso’s partners who 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. A subtle balance, to ensure the durability of the bracelet, which also sees the rubber strap fusing 4.1% coffee grounds, 8.2% recycled white rubber and the usual Hublot formula.
It took Hublot a whole year of R&D, working closely with Nespresso, to finally achieve the perfect harmony of colours between seven different materials that make up the watch, from its case to its straps (anodised aluminium, the varnish on the dial and hands, the Hublot logo decal on the glass, the rubber of the strap, and the fabric, lining and hook & loop tape of the Velcro strap) and to ensure that this uniformity of colour would stand the test of time.
This is a symbolic watch: in creating the Big Bang Unico Nespresso Origin, Hublot and Nespresso have demonstrated that it is possible to add value to recycled raw materials – and that circularity has no limits.
Another first: the Big Bang Unico Nespresso Origin will come in the Hublot Greenbox case, a brand new case developed by this watchmaking manufacturer that will be used for all its watch collections in the future. Created entirely from oak, including its hinges, it is carved from mostly massive, traceable wood, whose sourcing and manufacture both promote short supply chains. It is designed to be a reusable item, with 98% of its removable interior made from eco-friendly and recycled components. It is made from recycled fabrics, plastic yarns and PET, as well as recycled paper and cardboard that are eco-labelled. For the collaboration with Nespresso, the Hublot Greenbox case is specially decorated with the two brands’ logos, affixed using coffee grounds.
“The Big Bang Unico Nespresso Origin is a watch born out of a close collaboration between the product development teams of Nespresso and Hublot, two pioneering Swiss brands, both of whom were founded in the 1980s. This is a watch that delivers three world firsts: a symbol of the infinite possibilities for upcycling: a Big Bang made from the recycled aluminium of Nespresso coffee capsules; the first watch with a rubber strap containing 4.1% recycled coffee grounds from Nespresso capsules and 8.2% recycled rubber; and finally, the first watch with a Velcro strap made with SCafé, a fabric containing 5% recycled coffee grounds and 95% recycled polyester. It took the R&D teams a whole year to achieve the uniformity of colour of the watch’s seven different materials, find the right balance of ingredients and perform the quality and durability testing on all the product components.”
RICARDO GUADALUPE, HUBLOT CEO
“Nespresso is proud to join forces with Hublot to create the Big Bang Unico Nespresso Origin. This exceptional watch is the result of a partnership between two Swiss companies who both have the same values of innovation, quality, sustainability and the Swiss spirit as their mainspring and within their DNA. As a B Corp certified business, this collaboration also aligns with Nespresso’s commitment to continue its transition to a circular business model by giving a second life to coffee grounds and the aluminium of our capsules. The Big Bang Unico Nespresso Origin is the perfect illustration of the harmonious coexistence between circularity and luxury. It demonstrates that circular products can be just as elegant and refined as conventional luxury products, proving that it is possible to combine environmental values and aesthetic requirements without compromise.”
GUILLAUME LE CUNFF, NESPRESSO CEO
Hublot Big Bang Unico Nespresso Origin Technical Specifications
Ref. 441.UG.5220.RX.NES23 – Limited to 200 pieces, 22’900.00 CHF / 25’200.00 EUR / 24’100.00 USD / 20’800.00 GBP
Movement
- HUB1280
- Unico Manufacture, Self-Winding
- Chronograph
- Frequency: 4 (28’800 A/H)
- Power reserve (hours): 72
- Number of components: 354
- Jewels: 43
Case
- Satin-finished & Polished Green Anodizing Recycled Aluminium
- Taille : 42 mm
- Épaisseur : 14.5 mm
- Étanchéité : 10 ATM (100 m)
- Caseback: Satin-finished Eco-titanium
- Bezel: Satin-finished & Polished green / Anodizing Recycled Aluminium
Strap & Clasp
- Bracelet green lined rubber with Coffee Grounds
- Bracelet green velcro fastener S.café fabric
- Green Anodizing Recycled Aluminium and Titanium Deployant Buckleand Polished Green Anodizing Recycled Aluminium Sport buckle
HUBLOT
Hublot is a Swiss watch manufacturer founded in 1980 and based in Nyon. For its first ever timepiece, this fundamentally disruptive company combined gold with a rubber strap in a case with a design inspired by a ship’s porthole (hublot in French). Thus, the Art of Fusion was born, blending tradition, innovation, craftsmanship, worlds and talents. It became the brand’s aesthetic and technical signature.
This identity was strengthened in 2005 with the Big Bang, which attested to an unrivalled know-how in terms of complications, manufacture movements and state-of-the-art materials. Carbon, titanium, ceramic and sapphire have been developed on this model to technical extremes. This ground-breaking, high-quality approach to watchmaking is summed up in its philosophy ‘Be First, Unique and Different.’ It gradually led to other collections with innovative designs: Classic Fusion, Spirit of Big Bang, Square Bang and Manufacture Pieces. These draw on high levels of craftsmanship, both in terms of the materials so dear to Hublot (such as Magic Gold, brightly-coloured ceramics and sapphires) and its manufacture movements (Unico chronograph, Meca-10 and large complications such as the Tourbillon, the Cathedral Minute Repeater and the specific Manufacture Pieces movements).
Hublot’s world extends to powerful partnerships including football. ‘Hublot Loves Football’ has become the slogan at the world’s biggest sporting events (such as the FIFA World CupTM, Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA EUROTM) and through its ambassadors. This love of football continues in art, design, music, sport, fine dining and sailing. Lastly, Hublot’s implication in joint environmental projects with SORAI and Polar Pod reflects its concern for the issues of the day.
Almost 130 boutiques around the world share Hublot’s fervour and values, alongside the Hublot.com e-commerce site.
About Nestlé Nespresso S.A.
Nestlé Nespresso S.A. is the pioneer and reference for high-quality portioned coffee. The company works with more than 140,000 farmers in 18 countries through its AAA Sustainable QualityTM Program to embed sustainability practices on farms and their surrounding landscapes. Launched in 2003 in collaboration with the NGO Rainforest Alliance, the program helps to improve the yield and quality of harvests, ensuring a sustainable supply of high-quality coffee while improving livelihoods of farmers and their communities.
In 2022, Nespresso achieved B Corp™ certification – joining an international movement of over 6’500 purpose-led businesses that meet B Corp’s high standards of social and environmental responsibility and transparency.
Headquartered in Vevey, Switzerland, Nespresso operates in 74 markets and has over 13,000 employees. In 2022, it operated a global retail network of 791 boutiques. For more information, visit Nespresso’s corporate website: www.nestle-nespresso.com.