Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Rio Ferdinand spotted wearing Hublot

Rio Ferdinand, one of English football's most decorated central defenders and now a prominent television analyst, was recently spotted wearing a Hublot Big Bang UNICO Italia Independent Skeleton Dial — reference 411.YL.5190.NR.ITI15 — a piece that sits well outside everyday catalogue territory thanks to its strict production limit of just 500 units worldwide.

The watch is built on Hublot's 45mm Big Bang UNICO case crafted in 18-karat yellow gold, a material choice that immediately separates this reference from the more common titanium and ceramic variants in the UNICO family. The case is water-resistant to 100 metres and features the brand's signature porthole-inspired bezel secured with six H-shaped titanium screws. The rubber strap, a Hublot hallmark, is rendered here with design detailing developed in partnership with Italia Independent, Lapo Elkann's Milan-based lifestyle and eyewear brand, which brought its signature striped and textured aesthetic to the collaboration.

At the heart of the piece beats the HUB1242 UNICO calibre, a fully in-house flyback chronograph movement that Hublot developed to demonstrate genuine manufacture credibility. Beating at 28,800 vph with a 72-hour power reserve, the movement is displayed through a fully skeletonised dial — every bridge, wheel, and column-wheel mechanism exposed to view. The column-wheel and lateral clutch chronograph mechanism are visible from the front, a technical flourish that rewards close inspection.

For collectors, the Italia Independent collaborations occupy a specific niche: they combined serious horology with credible design partnerships at a time when such tie-ups were still relatively rare in high watchmaking. The 500-piece limitation, yellow gold case, and skeleton treatment make reference 411.YL.5190.NR.ITI15 one of the more desirable entries in the Big Bang UNICO series on the secondary market.

Ferdinand has built a well-documented affinity for bold, high-specification Swiss watches throughout his career, and the Hublot Big Bang fits his public profile cleanly — technically serious, visually assertive, and unambiguously exclusive. UK retail was listed at £19,700, with grey-market values fluctuating depending on condition and provenance.