Watch Paparazzi

Singer Ed Sheeran spotted wearing Hublot

Ed Sheeran was recently photographed wearing the Hublot Big Bang UNICO Italia Independent Skeleton Dial, reference 411.YL.5190.NR.ITI15 — a limited edition of 500 pieces that sits at the intersection of Swiss haute horlogerie and Italian streetwear culture. The sighting, shared via his Instagram handle @teddysphotos, confirms the singer's continued loyalty to the Geneva-based manufacture.

The 411.YL.5190.NR.ITI15 is built around the 45mm yellow gold Big Bang case and houses Hublot's proprietary HUB1242 UNICO movement — a column-wheel, flyback chronograph calibre developed entirely in-house, beating at 28,800 vph with a 72-hour power reserve. The skeleton dial strips away any dial furniture to expose the full lateral architecture of the movement, finished with the Italia Independent collaboration's characteristic striped and graphic detailing. The result is a watch that reads as industrial and fashion-forward in equal measure.

The Italia Independent partnership, born from Lapo Elkann's brand known for its bold textile and graphic identity, produced a handful of Big Bang references that have since developed a cult following among collectors who appreciate cross-industry design collaborations. The 500-piece limitation keeps supply genuinely constrained, and the yellow gold execution of this particular reference — rather than the more common ceramic or titanium variants — places it firmly in premium territory. Skeletonized Big Bang references in precious metal with credible limited-edition provenance tend to hold collector interest over time.

Sheeran is no casual watch wearer. The Grammy-winning artist has been spotted over the years in everything from Rolex sports references to high-complication pieces, and his appreciation for Hublot specifically suggests a genuine affinity for the brand's design language rather than simple endorsement optics. The Big Bang UNICO Italia Independent fits his aesthetic — louder than a dress watch, more considered than a fashion piece.

At a UK RRP of £19,700, the Hublot Big Bang UNICO Italia Independent 411.YL.5190.NR.ITI15 occupies the upper tier of the Big Bang range. On the secondary market, yellow gold limited-edition Big Bang references with strong collaboration backstories tend to trade at or slightly below retail, though condition and box-and-papers status play a significant role in final pricing.