Watch Paparazzi

Rapper Stormzy spotted wearing Hublot

Stormzy, one of the most prominent figures in British rap and grime, was recently spotted wearing the Hublot Spirit of Big Bang in titanium, reference 641.NM.0173.LR — a watch that represents one of the Swiss manufacturer's most architecturally distinctive departures from its round-case DNA.

Introduced in 2015, the Spirit of Big Bang took Hublot's core design philosophy — the fusion concept blending rubber, precious metals, and high-tech materials — and rehoused it in a 42mm tonneau-shaped case. The ref. 641.NM.0173.LR is executed in satin-finished titanium, a material that keeps the 42mm case surprisingly wearable at around 100 grams, with a blue skeleton dial that exposes the movement architecture beneath. Water resistance is rated to 100 metres, and the crown is secured by Hublot's signature double H-shaped titanium screws.

At the heart of the watch sits the HUB4700 calibre, a skeletonised automatic movement beating at 28,800 vph with a 50-hour power reserve. The movement's bridges and plates are chamfered and finished to a standard that rewards close inspection — something that the open-worked dial invites. The tonneau shape presented genuine engineering challenges, as the movement had to be specifically shaped to fill the curved case without compromise.

Stormzy's affinity for bold, statement watches is well established. The Mercury Prize winner and Glastonbury headliner has been spotted across a range of luxury references over the years, and the Spirit of Big Bang fits squarely within the aesthetic that resonates with his public profile — technically serious but visually unapologetic. Hublot has long cultivated relationships within sport and music, and this sighting reinforces that positioning.

The Hublot Spirit of Big Bang ref. 641.NM.0173.LR carries a UK list price of £18,200. On the grey market, titanium Spirit of Big Bang examples in this configuration typically trade close to or slightly below retail, reflecting steady but not speculative demand. For buyers seeking a skeletonised, tonneau-cased watch with genuine movement credentials at this price point, it remains a considered option in the Hublot lineup.