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Athlete Usain Bolt spotted wearing Hublot

Usain Bolt was recently photographed wearing a Hublot Spirit of Big Bang in titanium, reference 601.NM.0173.LR — a piece that sits squarely at the intersection of Hublot's technical ambition and its design-forward identity. For a man whose wrist real estate has been prime Hublot territory for over a decade, the choice speaks to a genuine relationship with the brand rather than a fleeting endorsement.

The Spirit of Big Bang ref. 601.NM.0173.LR houses the manually wound HUB4700 skeleton movement, a calibre developed specifically for the tonneau case geometry introduced with the Spirit line in 2014. Running at 21,600 vph with a 50-hour power reserve, the movement is fully skeletonized and visible through both the open dial and the sapphire caseback. The 42mm satin-brushed titanium case — lighter and more wrist-friendly than the 45mm flagship — features Hublot's signature H-shaped screws and a composite rubber strap integrated with polished titanium inserts. Water resistance is rated to 50 metres.

The Spirit of Big Bang was a significant departure for Hublot when it launched. Adapting the round Big Bang architecture into a barrel-shaped case demanded a purpose-built movement rather than a simple repacking of existing calibres, and the resulting HUB4700 gave the collection genuine manufacture credibility. Among collectors, the 42mm titanium skeleton variant occupies a sweet spot: it delivers the full Spirit visual experience without the wrist presence of the larger references, and titanium keeps the weight honest.

Bolt's relationship with Hublot dates to 2009, when the brand signed him shortly after his record-breaking performance at the Beijing Olympics. He has since appeared in multiple campaigns and received several dedicated limited editions bearing his name. Seeing him in a standard catalogue reference rather than a co-branded piece suggests personal preference driving the choice — always the more interesting sighting.

At a UK list price of £19,260, the 601.NM.0173.LR sits in the mid-tier of Hublot's Spirit range. On the grey market, titanium skeleton Spirit references have generally traded at or slightly below retail, reflecting healthy but not frenzied demand. For collectors seeking a wearable, legible skeleton piece with genuine in-house manufacture behind it, the 42mm titanium Spirit remains a rational and stylistically coherent entry point into the line.