Athlete George North spotted wearing a Hublot

George North, the Wales international and Northampton Saints winger widely regarded as one of rugby union's most powerful backs, was recently photographed wearing a Hublot Big Bang in the steel-blue configuration, reference 342.SB.131.RX — a model that sits squarely at the intersection of sport and substance.

The 342.SB.131.RX is part of Hublot's 42mm Big Bang family, a diameter that positions it as the more wearable counterpart to the original 44mm flagship. The case is rendered in polished and brushed stainless steel, with the signature Big Bang architecture — six H-shaped screws on the bezel, open lug structure, and porthole-inspired case design — intact. The steel-blue sunbrushed dial gives the piece a cooler, more understated character than many Big Bang variants, and the coordinating blue rubber strap keeps it firmly in sport-watch territory. Power comes from the HUB1112, a self-winding movement with a 42-hour power reserve, running at 28,800 vph.

Launched originally in 2005 by Jean-Claude Biver, the Big Bang became Hublot's defining reference almost overnight, fusing high-end Swiss movement technology with unconventional materials and aggressive case geometry. The 42mm steel variants represent the more accessible, collector-rational end of the Big Bang spectrum — less divisive than the ceramic or carbon editions, and considerably more legible on the wrist than the 44mm or 45mm cases.

For a professional rugby player of North's stature — 6'4", built for physicality — a 42mm case reads almost conservative. The rubber strap makes practical sense for an athlete whose wrists endure considerable contact. North made his Wales debut at just 18, becoming one of the youngest try-scorers in Six Nations history, and has since accumulated well over 100 caps. Athletes at his level are natural fits for Hublot's sports ambassador ecosystem, though North's wearing of this particular reference appears to be a personal choice rather than a formal partnership.

At a UK RRP of approximately £10,200 (roughly $12,800–$13,000 USD at prevailing rates), the Hublot Big Bang 342.SB.131.RX sits in competitive mid-luxury territory. On the grey market, lightly used examples trade at a modest discount to retail, typically in the $9,500–$11,000 range depending on condition and completeness.