Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Kylian Mbappé spotted wearing Hublot

Kylian Mbappé, photographed in a casual streetwear setting most likely around a PSG facility or brand event, pulled back his Oakley shield shades to reveal a substantial rose-gold timepiece locked to his wrist — the Hublot Big Bang Integral King Gold in the 42mm configuration, one of the brand's most technically resolved references to date.

Launched at Baselworld 2019, the Big Bang Integral represented a genuine engineering departure for Hublot. Rather than bolting a bracelet onto an existing Big Bang case, the Nyon manufacture reworked the entire architecture so the integrated King Gold bracelet flows continuously from the 42mm case without visible transition. King Gold — Hublot's proprietary 18-karat rose gold alloy enriched with platinum-group metals for improved scratch resistance — is used throughout: case, bezel, bracelet. The skeletonised dial exposes the HUB1280 UNICO flyback chronograph movement, a fully in-house column-wheel calibre with lateral clutch, offering 72 hours of power reserve. The open-worked architecture and anthracite-coated bridges visible through the sapphire crystal give the watch a deliberately industrial aesthetic that contrasts with the warmth of the gold.

Among collectors, the Big Bang Integral occupies a polarising but respected position. Detractors cite the size and visual weight; enthusiasts point to the UNICO movement's genuine manufacture credentials and the bracelet's ergonomic refinement — a significant upgrade over rubber-strapped Big Bang predecessors. On the secondary market, all-gold Integral references hold value firmly, partly because King Gold production volumes are controlled.

Mbappé has been a Hublot ambassador since 2020, part of a long-standing relationship between the brand and elite football. His choice of the 42mm over the larger 45mm signals a preference for wearability — appropriate given the watch's considerable visual presence even at the smaller diameter. The sighting aligns with Hublot's core marketing positioning: luxury performance goods worn by athletes at the apex of their sport.

At a retail price of approximately $47,000 USD, the Big Bang Integral King Gold 42mm is a significant acquisition. Grey market values track close to retail given stable demand, and all-gold integrated-bracelet sports watches across brands have shown resilient pricing through recent market corrections.