Big Bang Turns 20: Mbappé and Bolt Front Hublot’s Star-Studded Celebration in Geneva

The worlds of haute horology, sport, gastronomy and entertainment converged in Geneva last night, as Swiss luxury watchmaker Hublot marked the 20th anniversary of its emblematic Big Bang model with a glittering gala at the Geneva Arena — and an unprecedented meeting between brand ambassadors Kylian Mbappé and Usain Bolt.

Timed to coincide with the renowned Watches & Wonders fair, the celebration unfolded as a grand homage to Hublot’s pioneering ethos and its enduring “Art of Fusion” philosophy, which has come to define the brand over the past two decades.

At the heart of the event was the first official appearance together of Mbappé — football’s modern-day icon — and Bolt, the legendary Olympic sprinter, symbolising the fusion of generational talent and global charisma that the brand consistently aligns itself with.

Guests were treated to more than mere spectacle. Five of the world’s most acclaimed chefs — Anne-Sophie Pic, Clare Smyth, Yannick Alléno, Eneko Atxa, and Andreas Caminada — with a collective 43 Michelin stars between them, took to individual live stations to craft bespoke culinary masterpieces. This live gastronomic showcase transformed haute cuisine into high art, further enhancing the multi-sensory experience that Hublot so often curates.

In a rousing address, Julien Tornare, CEO of Hublot, reflected on two decades of disruptive watchmaking.

“Our icon, the Big Bang, has redefined the codes of contemporary watchmaking,” Tornare declared. “Twenty years on, it continues to embody the boldness, innovation, and pioneering spirit for which Hublot is renowned. It was deeply emotional to see the Hublot family reunited on such an unprecedented occasion.”

Musical innovation met mechanical mastery as the evening unfolded. Alissia, the Geneva-born, New York-based DJ and producer, delivered a genre-bending set blending funk, R&B and pop — before handing the stage over to Mika, the Lebanese-American-British singer-songwriter, whose high-energy performance brought the house down. Alissia returned to the decks later in the evening to close the night with a dancefloor-driven finale that kept guests moving into the early hours.

Launched in 2005, the Big Bang was a disruptor from the outset. Its bold proportions, industrial aesthetic, and fusion of unexpected materials challenged the staid traditions of Swiss watchmaking. Twenty years on, it remains a canvas for creativity and experimentation — a testament to Hublot’s refusal to follow convention.

The anniversary celebration was not simply a nod to the past, but a resounding affirmation of the Big Bang’s place in the future of watchmaking. In a world where heritage brands often play it safe, Hublot continues to rewrite the rules — with a flair that, last night, was impossible to ignore.