HUBLOT and the nautical world have been predestined for each other. Take for instance the bold look of Hublot watches, which was inspired by the porthole of a ship. Then of course there are the materials from the nautical world that Hublot blends so masterfully with the traditional ones from the watch industry: rubber and steel, Kevlar and pink gold.

Hublot also plays an active role in various sailing events and has sponsored several vessels, such as the PalmaVela Hublot Regatta; Dominique Wavre's monohull in the Vendee Globe 2004; and the Wally Class, where it is the official timekeeper. In 2005, the prestigious Yacht Club de Monaco chose Hublot as its partner and official timekeeper of all its regattas.

As a celebration of this partnership, Hublot has created a 250-piece limited edition version of its exemplar Big Bang model. The Big Bang "Tuiga, Monaco Yacht Club" edition is inspired by the club's flagship, a 15-meter International Class yacht by the same name.

The Big Bang has always been Hublot's glory, the first watch to feature lateral recognition-you can tell a Big Bang by its side. The natural black rubber Hublot strap-symbol of the brand- appears to pass through the body of the watch; and the multi-layer construction of the watch allows a clever play on the materials.

The Big Bang "Yacht Club de Monaco" chronograph carries on its solid lugs Hublot's four pillars: Swiss Watch makin Tradition, Visionary Art if Watch making, Fusion of materials and state-of-the-art technology, and Aesthetic innovation. Its black carbon face displays the colors of the Monaco Yacht Club, while the black of the case captures the image of the Tuiga, engraved for posterity.

Its other features are in true Big Bang fashion as well: diameter is at a hefty 44.5 mm; its self-winding chronograph movement; and of course, the mix of materials, The latter gives this commemorative watch the same feel as all other versions of the Big Bang: a Kevlar insert at the side; the legendary natural rubber strap; the ceramic bezel with six screws in "H" shape; Kevlar lug disks; and natural rubber inserts on the crown and rectangular button heads.

The Big Bang "Tuiga, Monaco Yacht Club" Limited Edition will be presented with a specially published book on the sage of Tuiga.