
Quick Summary
Hublot has just unveiled its Year of the Snake watch.
It might just be my favourite Hublot ever.
While the Gregorian calendar may have turned a little over a week ago, the changing of the Chinese calendar is still yet to come. With each year being associated with a sign of the Chinese zodiac, this time of year tends to spawn swathes of new watches based on those characters.
This time, it's the Year of the Snake, and we've already spotted a wide array of models to celebrate that. You'll find examples from all kinds of brands, including Louis Vuitton, Dior, Swatch, Longines and even a Casio G-Shock.
We're expecting even more over the coming weeks – and this latest release might be my pick of the bunch. Dubbed the Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Year of the Snake edition, this is a seriously cool tonneau-shaped case, with some reptilian touches throughout.
Let's kick off with the dial. That's an open-worked design, which gives a glimpse into the inner workings of the chronograph movement. Here, though, it's surrounded by a gold-plated snake, which is laser-engraved for supreme accuracy. It also makes a figure of eight around the chronograph dials – a subtle nod to China's lucky number.
Inside, you'll find the HUB4700 movement. That's descended from Zenith's El Primero calibre – once the beating heart of the inimitable Rolex Daytona – and features a number of modern improvements to keep pace in the 21st century. It's a 5Hz movment, too, with 50 hours of power reserve.
You'll find snake scale-themed designs on both the bezel and strap on this model. The bezel is crafted from a micro-blasted and polished black ceramic, which is then engraved with a snake skin texture.
The strap is a black rubber affair, which gets it's snake skin aesthetic from an innovative embossing technique. The strap is, in fact, a single piece of rubber, not that you'd know that from looking.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Priced at £30,100 ($35,100, approx. AU$60,000) and limited to just 88 pieces around the world, you're unlikely to spot too many of these as you jaunt about town. Still, it's a stunning example of a gaudy watch done with taste. I'm a huge fan – and that's not something I can always say for this brand. Top marks, Hublot.
Sam is an award-winning journalist with over six years of experience across print and digital media. As T3’s Senior Staff Writer, Sam covers everything from new phones and EVs to luxury watches and fragrances. Working across a range of different social media platforms alongside his written work, Sam is a familiar face for fans of T3. When he’s not reviewing snazzy products or hunting for stellar deals, Sam enjoys football, analog photography and writing music.
-
This Traeger grill has dual-zone cooking and an improved smaller size
Traeger adds a smaller, two-zone grill to its Flatrock griddle line-up
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
AirPods Max finally get the great free upgrade Apple promised
Here's how to make sure your headphones are running the right firmware
By Britta O'Boyle Published
-
T3's Best of Watches and Wonders 2025 Awards
Here are the winners from Watches and Wonders 2025 Awards, as chosen by T3's watch experts
By Sam Cross Published
-
Laurent Ferrier upgrades its Classic Auto watch with stunning blue dial
Laurent Ferrier’s latest novelty might be my favourite from Watches and Wonders
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
Piaget goes for gold with new Polo 79 and Sixtie novelties at Watches and Wonders
Piaget has a theme for Watches and Wonders 2025 – gold!
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
This Grand Seiko is one of the most accurate watches we've ever seen
Grand Seiko’s new watch is accurate to an astonishing ±20 seconds per year
By Alistair Charlton Published
-
Ulysse Nardin debuts the lightest mechanical dive watch ever made
Watches and Wonders sees Ulysse Nardin mark a pretty big milestone
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
Hublot celebrates 20 years of the Big Bang with tons of colourful, ceramic watches
Hublot has outdone itself with its Watches and Wonders novelties
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
Rolex Land-Dweller is the Crown’s headline act at Watches and Wonders 2025
There’s a new must-have Rolex in town, and it’s called the Land-Dweller
By Alistair Charlton Published
-
Here’s everything Tudor just announced at Watches and Wonders 2025
Get ready for the all-new Black Bay 68, plus Pelagos Ultra and new Burgundy BB58
By Alistair Charlton Published