Hublot and Chef Andreas Caminada Cook up a Storm with the New Big Bang Unico All Black Schloss Schauenstein

The relationship between gastronomy and watchmaking might not be immediately obvious, but they share several key elements that help draw a fascinating parallel. High-end cuisine requires meticulous preparation, creativity, and an eye for detail. Chefs are often likened to artists, crafting visually stunning and flavourful dishes. Similarly, production of luxury watches involves intricate craftsmanship and artistic flair. Watchmakers meticulously assemble tiny components to create a functional piece of art. Precision in measurement of ingredients, cooking time, and presentation is crucial for achieving the desired outcome in fine dining.

Likewise, the precision required in watchmaking is of paramount importance as even the smallest error can affect a timepiece’s accuracy and functionality. So, what happens when the culinary world and the realm of horology join hands? Nothing but magic, as evidenced in the creation of the latest collab watch from Hublot: Big Bang Unico All Black Schloss Schauenstein (Ref. 441.CI.1110.RX.SSH24).

The watch is born of a partnership with Chef Andreas Caminada, who practises his culinary art at Schauenstein Castle in Fürstenau, Switzerland. In fact, the Swiss chef has been teaming up with Hublot since 2017. The luxury watch brand has launched the reference to celebrate Chef Caminada’s 20th anniversary at the Castle. Therefore, it is restricted to only 20 pieces.

In 2022, Schloss Schauenstein was awarded two Michelin stars for IGNIV Zurich and Service Award, one Michelin star and one green Michelin star for the OZ Restaurant, one Michelin star for IGNIV Bangkok, and one green Michelin star for Casa Caminada. The restaurant is currently owned by Chef Caminada, along with business partner and chef Marcel Skibba. The restaurant offers its guests three culinary options, from a three-course menu to a five-course menu, with drinks accompanying them. 

The new Hublot Big Bang model is an all-black timepiece with a 42 mm micro-blasted black ceramic case with black-plated H-shaped polished and micro-blasted titanium screws holding it all together. At 3 o’clock is the satin-finished black-plated titanium with black rubber crown. The bezel is made of satin-finished black-plated titanium with black rubber inserts. It complements the satin-finished and micro-blasted black-plated titanium pushers at 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock.

The matte black openworked dial features the Andreas Caminada emblem on the small seconds counter at 9 o ‘clock, and provides a glimpse into the complex chronograph movement. The calendar disc is also visible through the openworked dial, with the date displayed in the 60-minute chronograph counter at 3 o'clock. The dial has Arabic hour markers, black-plated satin-finished titanium hour and minute hands, and a black ‘Hublot’ logo central second hand. The grey 60-minute markers are printed over a black chapter ring.

The watch is powered by the automatic HUB1280 Unico 2 calibre, an in-house chronograph showcasing its column wheel; the movement has a power reserve of 72 hours. Turning the watch over showcases the exhibition caseback, whose sapphire crystal is emblazoned with the outline of the Castle as well as the caption, “20 JAHRE SCHLOSS SCHAUENSTEIN.”, along with a black oscillating weight. The watch is finished on a black lined rubber strap with a black ceramic and black titanium deployant buckle.

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