The Hublot Square Bang Unico 821.HX.0170.RX is a 42 mm white ceramic watch with a square-cornered case, a black index dial, a rubber strap and Hublot's in-house Unico automatic chronograph movement. It is the light-coloured member of the Square Bang Unico family, which Hublot builds in black ceramic, blue ceramic and titanium as well. This guide covers the specifications, how the white ceramic differs from the other cases, how the reference compares with its siblings, how a square 42 mm case wears, what price context looks like in 2026, and what to check before buying. Bizak & Co. sources this reference to order; the Hublot collection lists the configurations we can seek.
Last reviewed on September 29, 2026 by Filip Biczak. Prices are dated observations, not quotes.
Hublot Square Bang Unico 821.HX.0170.RX specifications
| Attribute | 821.HX.0170.RX |
|---|---|
| Case | 42 mm square-cornered case in white ceramic, with a ceramic bezel that matches the case |
| Dial | Black dial with applied index hour markers, set against the white case |
| Movement | Automatic Unico in-house chronograph calibre; Hublot's Square Bang Unico sheets quote about 72 hours of power reserve, so confirm the exact calibre and figure for this reference |
| Strap | Rubber, in the Hublot style with a matching deployant clasp |
| Crystal | Sapphire |
| Family | Square Bang Unico, alongside the black ceramic 821.CX.0140.RX, the blue ceramic 821.EX.5170.RX and the titanium 821.NX.0170.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 Swiss haute horlogerie houses, and the Phillips watches department for how contemporary Hublot references are presented at auction. For current specifications, read the reference sheet on hublot.com or ask us to send it to you.
What is the Hublot Square Bang Unico?
Hublot made its name with the round Big Bang, a case with a screwed bezel over a rubber strap that mixed materials on purpose. The Square Bang keeps that recipe and changes the geometry: a square-cornered case with the same layered construction, the same rubber strap integration and the same visible engineering. The Unico is the movement Hublot developed and built itself, a flyback chronograph with a column wheel and a long power reserve, so the Square Bang Unico is the version of the square case with the complete in-house watch inside it rather than a supplied movement. Buyers usually arrive at this reference from one of two directions. Some already wear a round Big Bang and want a different silhouette. Others come from square-cased watches elsewhere and want ceramic and a modern chronograph.
Is white ceramic different from black ceramic?
Ceramic is ceramic in the ways that matter for wear: it is far harder than steel, so it resists scratches from daily contact, it does not fade, and it does not react to skin or sunscreen. White ceramic is the harder colour to produce. Pigmenting zirconium oxide white and keeping it consistent across the case, the bezel and the parts that must match takes more process control than black, which is one reason white and coloured ceramics generally cost more than black in the same model. Visually the effect is what buyers respond to: a bright case against a black dial reads as high contrast and unmistakably modern, while an all-black ceramic version reads as stealth. The trade-off is the one every ceramic owner should hear once. Ceramic can chip on a sharp corner impact, and unlike steel it cannot be refinished with a polish. Check the edges and corners of any ceramic case in good light before you accept it.
821.HX.0170.RX vs the black, blue and titanium Square Bang Unico
| White ceramic 821.HX.0170.RX | Black ceramic 821.CX.0140.RX | Blue ceramic 821.EX.5170.RX | Titanium 821.NX.0170.RX | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case | White ceramic, 42 mm | Black ceramic, 42 mm | Blue ceramic, 42 mm | Titanium, 42 mm |
| Look | Bright case, black dial | All black, low contrast | Blue case and dial | Grey metal, black dial |
| Weight and feel | Light, cool to the touch | Light, cool to the touch | Light, cool to the touch | Lightest metal option |
| Bizak catalogue listing, Sept 29, 2026 | US$21,999 | US$20,399 | US$22,099 | US$21,499 |
Prices in the last row are the figures Bizak's sourced catalogue listed on September 29, 2026. They are sourced-to-order asks, not offers, and they will move. The spread between the four is narrow, which tells you that the choice is about look and material rather than budget. If you want the strongest visual statement and are comfortable with a light-coloured case that shows what it touches, the white ceramic is the one. If you would rather keep it discreet, the black ceramic is usually the easiest to live with. The titanium version is the one for buyers who prefer metal.
How does a 42 mm square case wear?
A square case of 42 mm wears differently from a round watch of the same stated size, because the corners reach further than a circle would and the case has no curved edges to soften the footprint. In practice the Square Bang Unico sits flatter and broader on the wrist and asks for a wrist of average to larger size to look balanced. Ceramic keeps the weight down, so the watch does not pull on the wrist the way a steel case of this size would. The rubber strap adds comfort and makes the watch easy to wear daily; it also lets you fit the reference into a casual wardrobe rather than treating it as a special-occasion piece. Try it on before you commit. The size is a matter of proportion and taste, not a number you can judge from a spec table.
How much does a Hublot Square Bang Unico cost in 2026?
- Retail. Hublot sets its own list prices, and they differ by market and change with each year. For the current figure on this reference, check hublot.com or an authorised boutique; we do not quote a number here that we cannot source to a dated primary page.
- Secondary market. Hublot references in general trade below retail once they are pre-owned, and depreciation on ceramic sport models has historically been steeper than on the stainless steel Swiss sports icons. Treat any pre-owned asking price as a starting point for comparison, and compare condition, box, papers and service history rather than headline figures.
- Bizak catalogue. On September 29, 2026 our sourced catalogue listed the 821.HX.0170.RX at US$21,999, brand new and sourced to order. Ask for a dated quote for the exact watch and the paperwork before you rely on that figure.
Our Hublot buying guide explains how to compare a new quote with a pre-owned listing, and the ceramic watches collection shows how the material is priced across brands.
Is the Hublot Square Bang Unico worth buying?
It is worth buying if you want the watch itself: a distinctive square ceramic case, a full in-house chronograph, and a proportion you will not see on many wrists. It is a poor choice if your priority is resale value, because Hublot has not held its price on the secondary market the way a Rolex or a Patek Philippe has. That is not a criticism of the watch, only a fact you should price into the decision. Buying brand new from a source you trust gives you the warranty and the paperwork, which are the two things that matter most when you may sell one day. Ask for a written statement of the warranty terms and the start date before you pay.
What to check before buying a Hublot Square Bang Unico
- Reference match. The reference on the warranty card, the box and the case back should read 821.HX.0170.RX exactly. Do not accept a card that gives a different suffix without an explanation.
- Ceramic edges. Inspect every corner, edge and lug under strong light. Ceramic resists scratches but can chip, and a chip cannot be polished out.
- Chronograph function. Start, stop, flyback and reset should all click cleanly. The subdial hands should return to zero.
- Winding and setting. Every crown position should work smoothly. Let the watch run for a day and confirm it keeps a steady rate.
- Strap and clasp. The rubber should show no creasing or marks and the deployant clasp should close firmly with no play.
- Documents. Warranty card dated correctly, purchase invoice traceable to the seller, and the serial on the paperwork matching the case.
What are the alternatives to the 821.HX.0170.RX?
Within Hublot, the round Big Bang is the obvious cross-shop for buyers who like the Unico movement but want the classic round case. The Spirit of Big Bang is the tonneau case for buyers who want something between square and round. Outside Hublot, the choice widens to other ceramic chronographs from other brands, and the useful comparison is the movement (in-house or supplied), the water resistance and the service network rather than the badge. Our team can put two or three configurations side by side on request.
Quick answers
What is the Hublot Square Bang Unico 821.HX.0170.RX?
It is a 42 mm white ceramic Square Bang with a black index dial, a rubber strap and Hublot's Unico automatic chronograph movement.
How big is the Square Bang Unico?
The case is 42 mm, but the square corners make it wear larger and broader than a round 42 mm watch.
Is white ceramic scratch resistant?
Yes, it is much harder than steel and resists scratches, but it can chip on a hard corner impact and cannot be polished.
How much does the 821.HX.0170.RX cost?
Bizak's sourced catalogue listed it at US$21,999 brand new on September 29, 2026, sourced to order; the price will move and Hublot's own list price varies by market.
Does Bizak have this watch on the shelf?
No. We source it to order and confirm the exact watch, photographs, box, papers and final price before you commit.
Request a Square Bang Unico 821.HX.0170.RX sourcing quote
Tell us the case colour, 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 entry: Square Bang Unico white ceramic 821.HX.0170.RX; siblings: all black 821.CX.0140.RX, blue ceramic 821.EX.5170.RX and titanium 821.NX.0170.RX. You can also browse the Hublot collection, read our authenticity guarantee or sell or trade a watch.
Related reading: Which Hublot to buy · Watch nicknames explained · Rolex watch prices explained · How to sell a Rolex.
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