Written by: Cathy Tenzo

The Hublot Big Bang 38mm Automatic Men’s Watch 365.SX.1170.SX.1104 is a rugged watch that’s surprisingly elegant given the stainless steel band and the thick carpet of diamonds on the bezel. It would be so easy for this timepiece to look gaudy, but this Swiss chronograph company blends industrial elements with first-class bling to make a watch that’s both sophisticated and strong.

Features:

• Black watch face
• Date display window
• Water resistant to 100 meters/330 feet
• Sapphire crystal
• Steel bezel set with 126 diamonds for .87 ct
• Stainless steel band
• Automatic HUB 1110 self-winding movement
• List price: $12,900

Hublot prides itself on the “art of fusion,” and this watch from their flagship Big Bang Collection is no exception. Although the bezel is set with 126 diamonds, it’s also got six prominent screws that ground the design and keep it from appearing too feminine. The diamonds frame a black face with striking hour and minute markers. Hublot assumes that we know our clock numbers by now, so it marks the seconds and not the hours. The only other numerals on the display are in the small date window. The simplicity of the design both highlights the sparkly bits and keeps them from being too much. This is a watch that has it just right.

This watch from Vostok’s Europe Collection provides a similar look without all the sparkle.

The Hublot Big Bang 38mm Automatic Men’s Watch 365.SX.1170.SX.1104 also performs on a technical level. Hublot is known for Swiss mechanisms, and I couldn’t find any complaints about its reliability. The watch is water resistant, and it provides some flash for the man who wants to get noticed. It’s no wonder that rapper Curren$y mentions the Hublot and its diamonds in his song “Capitol”–this is a watch to create envy around you, and he talks about how a Hublot will instantly upgrade your image. This is also the main critical element that reviewers mention about the brand. Some say that Hublot is all flash and no substance, and while it’s true that many will pay a premium to be associated with a glamorous image, the company has won numerous awards for its style and quality. While this is a rugged watch, I do wonder if the diamonds ever detach themselves from the bezel, but I could find no reports of this happening. If you’re worried about it, or if the diamonds are just a little too much for your personal palette, you might try the Vostok Europe Caspian Sea Monster Diver Watch 2432.01/5452109, which captures the visual essence of the watch without the splashy shine. The Vostok can be had for about $730, so the savings are substantial, but you won’t be getting quite the same dazzle and flair as this selection in the Hublot luxury line.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair is a fan of Hublot watches.

Hublot has fans among many celebrities, from rappers like Curren$y  to dignitaries like Prime Minister Tony Blair, and this timepiece represents the line well. There’s something truly remarkable about a watch that would be equally at home in a rap video and at White House Cocktail party, and it’s the kind of watch that gets you noticed. Diamonds can be a man’s best friend as well, if he knows how to wear them properly. The Hublot Big Bang 38mm Automatic Men’s Watch 365.SX.1170.SX.1104 takes care of that tricky balancing act, and leaves you to take all the credit. Isn’t that the best kind of accessory?