Ever since Hublot CEO Jean-Claude Biver mentioned the word “Unico” in my post-Baselworld 2009 Interview with him, I and many others have been eagerly anticipating the first opportunity to get a look at Hublot’s new – and first in-house – movement.  At the recent inauguration of Hublot’s new manufacture in Nyon, Switzerland (near Geneva), UNICO was revealed.  UNICO is actually a term used to represent Hublot’s family of Calibers – what you will see below is the first of two movements slated for release in 2010.  The second, Unico 1110, a three-handed movement, is presumably not far behind (hat tip to the fine article by Beth Doerr in iW Magazine’s Oct’09 issue for this additional insight).

With 330 componenets combining to deliver a very respectable 70+ hours power reserve, Hublot’s UNICO caliber is a flyback chronograph movement developed entirely by Hublot’s R&D (Research & Development) team, and of course it will also be manufactured hby Hublot.  Currently it is considered a “functional prototype” but it will be ready go to in 2010.  UNICO is designated to be part of Hublot’s new “King Power” models which were introduced earlier this year.  In addition to basic timekeeping, the movement will show 60-second and 60-minute chronograph as well as the date (which you can easily see around the outer edge of the movement photo below).  Hublot says “The aim is to produce 2,000 UNICO movements in 2010, and close to 20,000 in the medium term.”

While I would like to get a watchmaker’s opinion of the technical sophistication and innovativeness of UNICO, there do appear to be at some unique attributes of the movement that can be appreciated by a non-technician such as myself. I will highlight just one today – the escapement.  Not only is it made of silicon, but it is what is what I would call a “modular” escapement.  That is, the escapement can be removed for easy service and repair.  Hublot also touts the escapement as being engravable upon request.

BSo what is the first reaction of First In Watches towards Hublot’s new UNICO movement?  We like it.

Related posts:

1. Beyond the Big Bang – What’s Next for Hublot?
2. Big Bang Back In The Spotlight: Hublot’s Jean-Claude Biver On the Record
3. Perpetuelle.com Interview with Hublot CEO Jean-Claude Biver
4. Hublot King Power Tourbillon Manufacture