Hublot Unveils Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon SORAI, Helps Save Rhinos

Hublot continues its on-going mission to protect one of the world’s most endangered species—the rhinoceros—through its partnership with SORAI (Save Our Rhinos Africa and India). In collaboration with former international cricketer and conservationist Kevin Pietersen, Hublot has once again demonstrated that luxury and purpose can coexist with the release of the limited-edition Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon 5-Day Power Reserve SORAI watch. As part of this collaboration, a portion of the sales will be donated to SORAI’s vital conservation efforts.

Rhinoceros populations are under siege. At the start of the 20th century, approximately 500,000 rhinos roamed across Africa and Asia. Today, this number has drastically declined to just 27,000 due to the devastating effects of poaching and habitat destruction. Black, Javan, and Sumatran rhinos are listed as critically endangered, teetering on the edge of extinction.

Through this collaboration, with this newest watch marking the fourth timepiece introduction in this meaningful partnership, Hublot hopes to contribute to raising awareness about the urgency of the rhino crisis. The Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon 5-Day Power Reserve SORAI watch not only represents the brand’s horological craftsmanship but also its commitment to environmental conservation, supporting SORAI’s fight against poaching and habitat loss.

Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon 5-Day Power Reserve SORAI

Hublot’s newest watch is a 30-piece limited-edition creation that combines precision engineering with a design that symbolizes strength and resilience. The 42mm tonneau-shaped case is crafted from micro-blasted and polished warm grey ceramic—a hue chosen to reflect the rugged color of rhino skin.

Inside the watch beats the HUB6020 Manufacture caliber, a 183-part skeletonized, hand-wound tourbillon movement with a five-day power reserve. The time display is asymmetrical, with hours and minutes on a subsidiary dial offset on the right side of the dial close to the 3:00 position. Best of all: where the marker should be at 3:00, instead there is a tiny, sculpted rhinoceros in full glory.

Two sapphire crystals encase the dial, providing an unobstructed view of the movement. The Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon 5-Day Power Reserve SORAI comes with two straps: a grey fabric strap with black ceramic sport buckle, and a black rubber strap featuring a camouflage pattern in greys and beige. The watch retails for $110,000.

SORAI: A Lifeline for Rhinos

SORAI, founded in 2018 by former England cricket captain Kevin Pietersen, was born from a desire to protect Africa and India’s endangered keystone species. Pietersen’s passion for wildlife conservation is deeply rooted in his South African upbringing, and through SORAI, he aims to unite conservationists, businesses, and the public in the fight to save rhinos.

SORAI provides funding to organizations like Care for Wild in South Africa, which rescues and rehabilitates orphaned and injured rhinos. Much of SORAI’s work also focuses on education and anti-poaching initiatives. Poaching, driven by demand for rhino horn, remains a major threat to these animals, despite the fact that rhino horn is made of keratin—the same protein found in human hair and nails. Poaching is fueled by poverty and complex international criminal networks, making the fight against it an ongoing challenge.

Although the rhino crisis remains dire, there have been positive strides in conservation. For instance, the population of Indian rhinos has grown from 200 at the turn of the 20th century to approximately 4,000 today. Similarly, black rhino populations have doubled over the last two decades, demonstrating that with concerted effort and resources, it is possible to make a meaningful impact.

Through the proceeds from the Spirit of Big Bang SORAI, Hublot is playing an active role in supporting these ongoing conservation programs, helping to protect the future of rhinos and ensure that future generations can witness these majestic creatures in the wild.