Kurt Zouma, the Chelsea FC and French international centre-back, was recently spotted wearing the Hublot King Power Unico Ceramic Black Magic, reference 701.CI.0170.RX — a watch that makes no attempt whatsoever at subtlety, and is all the better for it.
The King Power Unico ref. 701.CI.0170.RX is built around Hublot's 48mm black ceramic case, a material Hublot has long championed for its scratch resistance and deep, light-absorbing finish. The case, bezel, lugs, and crown are all rendered in ceramic, producing a monolithic aesthetic that the brand has branded 'Black Magic.' The sapphire crystal exhibition caseback reveals the HUB1240 UNICO calibre — a flyback chronograph movement developed entirely in-house at Hublot's Nyon manufacture, beating at 28,800 vph with a 72-hour power reserve across 330 components. When Hublot debuted the UNICO movement in 2010, it marked a genuine turning point for a brand that had previously relied on modified ETA and Valjoux ebauches. The column-wheel and horizontal clutch flyback architecture placed it in credible company among manufacture chronograph movements.
From a collector standpoint, the King Power occupies an interesting position. It was conceived as the bold, oversized successor to the Big Bang, deliberately pushing dimensions and visual weight further than almost any competitor. At 48mm it wears large even on a professional athlete's wrist, and the all-ceramic execution keeps weight more manageable than a comparable steel or gold case. Purists have long debated whether the King Power's aesthetic aggression translates into long-term desirability, but the series commands a loyal following among collectors who value manufacture movements in an accessible luxury tier.
Zouma is hardly alone among top-flight footballers in gravitating toward Hublot — the brand's longstanding partnerships with UEFA and FIFA have embedded it firmly in football culture, and the King Power's outsized proportions photograph well against a training kit or matchday suit. For a defender operating at the highest level of club football, the Black Magic's understated-yet-imposing character is a logical fit.
Retail on the Hublot King Power Unico Ceramic Black Magic 701.CI.0170.RX sits around £16,000 in the UK market. On the grey market, pre-owned examples typically trade at a moderate discount to retail, reflecting the broader secondary market dynamics for Hublot's larger sport references, where supply has historically been healthy.
