The Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon Carbon White 645.QW.2012.RW is a 42 mm limited edition with a carbon case in Hublot's tonneau shape, a hand-wound tourbillon movement, a white-toned dial and a rubber strap. It sits at the top of the Spirit of Big Bang range because it adds a tourbillon to a case designed for everyday sport wear. This guide covers the specifications, what a tourbillon does, how carbon differs from ceramic and titanium, how the reference compares with the other carbon tourbillons in the line, what price context looks like in 2026, and what to check before buying. Bizak & Co. sources this reference to order; the Spirit of Big Bang collection lists the configurations we can seek.
Last reviewed on September 29, 2026 by Filip Biczak. Prices are dated observations, not quotes.
Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon 645.QW.2012.RW specifications
| Attribute | 645.QW.2012.RW |
|---|---|
| Case | 42 mm tonneau case in carbon, with a carbon bezel |
| Dial | White-toned dial with an open layout that shows the tourbillon; confirm the exact dial finish against the reference sheet |
| Movement | Manual-winding tourbillon; the calibre and power reserve are on Hublot's reference sheet, so ask for them in writing |
| Strap | Rubber |
| Edition | Limited edition, so ask for the individual edition number and the stated total |
| Family | Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon; carbon siblings include green 645.QG.5217.RX, sky blue 645.QL.5117.RX and orange 645.QO.4710.RX |
| Condition in our sourcing | Brand new, sourced to order with box and papers confirmed before purchase |
Source: Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry for background on tourbillon and haute horlogerie, and the Sotheby's watches department for how complicated contemporary watches are catalogued. For current specifications, read the reference sheet on hublot.com or ask us to send it to you.
What is the Spirit of Big Bang?
Hublot introduced the Big Bang in 2005 with a round case and a bezel held down by six screws, and the Spirit of Big Bang, launched in 2019, re-drew that idea as a tonneau, a barrel-shaped case with curved sides. The layered construction is the same: a bezel, a middle case and a case back, each a separate component so that different materials can be combined. The tonneau wears closer to the wrist than a round case of the same width because the curved flanks follow the shape of the arm. The Tourbillon versions are the range's complicated pieces, and the carbon models are the ones where the case material is as much of the point as the movement.
What does a tourbillon actually do?
A tourbillon is a rotating cage that carries the balance wheel and the escapement. Abraham-Louis Breguet patented it around 1801 to average out the effect of gravity on the regulating organ of a pocket watch that stayed in one position in the pocket. On a wristwatch the wearer moves, so the practical benefit is small, and the reason to own one is craftsmanship and the sight of the cage turning, usually once a minute. It is a complication you value for the engineering. A tourbillon is also more delicate and more expensive to service than a simple movement, and a hand-wound one is a watch you wind rather than a watch you set and forget. Winding it is part of ownership, and a good example is one where the crown feels smooth when you wind and the cage runs without hesitation.
Carbon, ceramic or titanium: which case material suits you?
| Carbon | Ceramic | Titanium | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | Very light | Light | Light for a metal |
| Scratch resistance | Good; the surface is a hard composite | Excellent | Moderate; marks in daily wear |
| Weak point | Edges can chip if struck; a composite can show micro-damage | Can chip on a sharp impact | Surface scratches |
| Look | Textured, marbled surface that changes with the light | Smooth, uniform colour | Grey metal |
| Repair | Case parts generally replaced, not refinished | Case parts generally replaced, not polished | Can be refinished |
Carbon is the material that gives this reference its character: a textured pattern that makes each case look slightly different, and a weight that you notice the moment you put it on. It is not an ordinary case metal, so an inspection matters more than usual, and it is worth asking an authorised service centre how they handle damaged carbon parts before you buy.
645.QW.2012.RW vs the other carbon tourbillons
| Reference | Colour | Bizak catalogue listing, Sept 29, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 645.QW.2012.RW | White, limited edition | US$84,370 |
| 645.QG.5217.RX | Green | US$75,999 |
| 645.QO.4710.RX | Orange | US$81,699 |
| 645.QL.5117.RX | Sky blue | US$98,644 |
Those figures are what Bizak's sourced catalogue listed on September 29, 2026, sourced to order and subject to change. The range between the four is wide for the same basic construction, which reflects colour, edition status and the timing of when a given piece was priced. The limited-edition status of the white version is the part you would pay for in a collecting sense; if you only want a carbon tourbillon, one of the standard colours is a more economical way in. Comparing a limited edition to an open-production watch is the reason to ask for the edition number and total.
How does the tonneau tourbillon wear?
At 42 mm in carbon, the watch is light on the wrist, and the tonneau shape keeps the case from overhanging as a round 42 mm might. The rubber strap makes it a daily-wear proposition rather than a safe-only watch, though many owners will treat a tourbillon with more care than a sport watch normally needs. Because the movement is hand-wound, the watch will stop if you leave it for the length of its power reserve, and setting it again is a small ritual. Try the watch on to judge thickness, since a tourbillon adds height to the movement and Hublot cases in this class are not thin.
How much does a Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon cost in 2026?
- Retail. Hublot sets its own prices, and they differ by market. For the current figure on a tourbillon reference, check hublot.com or an authorised boutique; we do not print an undated retail number.
- Secondary market. Hublot tourbillons and limited editions trade thinly, and asking prices for pre-owned examples vary widely with condition, edition number and box and papers. Treat any single asking price as a data point, not a market rate.
- Bizak catalogue. On September 29, 2026 our sourced catalogue listed the 645.QW.2012.RW at US$84,370, brand new and sourced to order. Ask for a dated quote for the exact watch before relying on it.
The Hublot buying guide explains how the brand's ranges differ and how to read a quote, and the Hublot collection shows current configurations.
Is the Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon a good buy?
It is a good buy if you want a tourbillon in a modern case that you can actually wear, and if you accept that value on the secondary market is not the reason for the purchase. A limited edition helps at the margin, because a small production run supports demand, but Hublot pieces have not historically appreciated the way a stainless steel Rolex has. The better argument for this reference is that a carbon tourbillon with a white dial is an unusual combination that is hard to mistake for anything else. Buying brand new from a source you trust gives you the warranty, which matters more on a tourbillon than on almost any other watch.
What to check before buying a carbon tourbillon
- Edition number. Ask for the edition number and the stated total. It should match the case, the card and the invoice.
- Warranty and papers. Card dated correctly, serial matching the case, original box and any hang tags. Confirm what the warranty covers for the tourbillon.
- Tourbillon function. Wind the watch and watch the cage. It should turn smoothly and steadily with no hesitation or stops.
- Carbon surface. Inspect the case flanks, bezel edges and lugs in strong light for chips or micro-damage.
- Winding feel. The crown should wind with no grinding. Check every crown position.
- Strap and clasp. Rubber free of creasing, the clasp firm and correct for the reference.
What are the alternatives?
Within Hublot, the round Big Bang tourbillons are the cross-shop for buyers who prefer the round case. The non-tourbillon Spirit of Big Bang references, such as the all black pavé 642.CI.0110.RX.1700, give the same tonneau at a lower level of complication. Outside Hublot, the useful comparison is between tourbillons at similar prices from other houses, weighing movement finishing, service network and case material.
Quick answers
What is the Hublot 645.QW.2012.RW?
It is a 42 mm limited-edition Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon with a carbon tonneau case, a white-toned dial and a hand-wound tourbillon movement.
What does a tourbillon do on a wristwatch?
It rotates the escapement in a cage, which was designed to average out gravity on pocket watches; on a wristwatch its value is mostly craftsmanship.
Is a carbon watch case durable?
It is light and hard, but the edges can chip if struck and damaged parts are generally replaced rather than refinished.
How much does the 645.QW.2012.RW cost?
Bizak's sourced catalogue listed it at US$84,370 brand new on September 29, 2026, sourced to order; the price will move.
Does Bizak keep this watch on the shelf?
No. We source it to order and confirm the exact watch, edition number, photographs, papers and final price before you commit.
Request a 645.QW.2012.RW sourcing quote
Tell us the edition or colour you want, condition, whether box and papers are required, your budget and your timing through our sourcing enquiry form. We confirm the specific watch, photographs, paperwork and final price before you commit. Catalogue entries: Tourbillon Carbon White 645.QW.2012.RW, Carbon Green 645.QG.5217.RX and Orange Carbon 645.QO.4710.RX. Browse the Spirit of Big Bang collection, read our authenticity guarantee or sell or trade a watch.
Related reading: Which Hublot to buy · Watch nicknames explained · Richard Mille price guide · How to sell a Rolex.
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