Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Angel Di Maria spotted wearing Hublot

Angel Di Maria, the Argentine winger who has made the Parc des Princes his stage, was spotted wearing one of Hublot's most technically demanding creations: the Big Bang Unico Sapphire, reference 411.JX.4802.RT. The sighting is no accident — Di Maria has a well-documented relationship with the Geneva-based manufacture, and this particular piece sits firmly at the top of the Big Bang hierarchy.

The Hublot Big Bang Unico Sapphire 411.JX.4802.RT presents a 45mm case machined entirely from synthetic sapphire crystal, a material with a Vickers hardness of around 2,000 HV — second only to diamond. Producing a single case requires in excess of 100 hours of CNC machining and grinding, with an extraordinarily high rejection rate. The result is a fully transparent tonneau-shaped case that exposes every component of the movement without compromise. The sapphire bracelet, also crafted from the same material, continues the all-crystal aesthetic and adds significant technical complexity to the build.

Powering the watch is the HUB1242 UNICO manufacture calibre, a column-wheel flyback chronograph movement with a lateral clutch and 72-hour power reserve. The movement beats at 28,800 vph and offers a column wheel and horizontal clutch for precise chronograph engagement. Visible through the sapphire case from all six sides, the movement becomes the centrepiece of the design rather than a hidden mechanism. The reference 411.JX.4802.RT was limited to 500 pieces globally, reinforcing its collectibility beyond the standard Big Bang lineup.

Di Maria's association with Hublot reflects the brand's deep roots in football — the official timekeeper of FIFA and UEFA — and its strategy of aligning with elite sporting talent. As a Champions League winner and Copa del Mundo champion with Argentina, Di Maria's wrist profile consistently attracts attention, and choosing the Big Bang Unico Sapphire signals an appreciation for technical watchmaking rather than mere brand visibility.

On the secondary market, the Hublot Big Bang Unico Sapphire commands a premium over its already substantial retail price, driven by its limited production run and the sheer difficulty of manufacture. Collectors who secured one at launch have seen values hold firm, with grey-market pricing consistently above list. For a piece that is simultaneously a horological engineering exercise and a wearable sculpture, the 411.JX.4802.RT earns its price of admission.