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footballerSpotted November 2022

Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo spotted wearing a Hublot

footballer Cristiano Ronaldo spotted wearing a Hublot 601.NX.7170.LR
Who & what: Titanium & Blue Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon 45mm – Reference 601.NX.7170.LR – Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo has never been subtle about his affection for Hublot, and this sighting during his time at Juventus is entirely consistent with that long-standing brand loyalty. The footballer was spotted on the wrist of the Hublot Spirit of Big Bang in titanium with blue detailing — reference 601.NX.7170.LR — a piece that sits firmly at the technical apex of Hublot's catalog.

The Spirit of Big Bang ref. 601.NX.7170.LR is built around an HUB6010 caliber, a manually wound, skeletonized tourbillon movement beating at 21,600 vph with a 120-hour power reserve. The tonneau-shaped 45mm titanium case is the defining aesthetic choice here: Hublot introduced the Spirit of Big Bang line in 2014 specifically to move beyond the circular silhouette that defined the original Big Bang, pursuing a more classically watchmaking-oriented form factor while retaining the brand's signature fusion materials philosophy. Water resistance is rated to 100 meters — unusually robust for an open-worked tourbillon.

From a collector standpoint, the Spirit of Big Bang occupies an interesting position. Purists who once dismissed Hublot as a marketing-forward brand have increasingly acknowledged that the in-house tourbillon calibers underpinning this line represent genuine technical competence. The skeletonized architecture, finished with a combination of anglage and côtes de Genève, is executed to a standard that justifies the price point. The blue colorway — applied across the movement bridges, dial indices, and rubber strap — gives the piece strong visual identity without tipping into gaudiness.

Ronaldo has been an official Hublot ambassador since 2013, making him one of the most recognizable faces in the brand's marketing portfolio alongside a roster that has historically included other elite athletes and cultural figures. His personal collection is extensive and well-documented, spanning Richard Mille, Rolex, and Patek Philippe alongside Hublot, but his on-wrist loyalty to the Geneva manufacture remains consistent and photographically well-evidenced.

At a UK list price of approximately £18,200 — translating to roughly $23,000 USD at prevailing rates — the Hublot Spirit of Big Bang ref. 601.NX.7170.LR is positioned as accessible haute horlogerie by tourbillon standards. The grey market has historically kept this reference close to retail, reflecting steady demand without the speculative premium seen on sportier complications from Patek or AP.

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