From his first Olympic 100 metres title in Beijing 2008, to his eleventh world title in the 4 x 100 metres in 2015, also in Beijing, Usain Bolt has won a total of seventeen gold medals at the Olympic Games and world championships. Like an extra-terrestrial who fell to Earth 29 years ago, Bolt is today the greatest sprinter of all time.
The legend began in 2008 when, at an athletics meet in New York, he smashed the 100 metres world record and earned the nickname “Lightning Bolt”. A few months later, at the Beijing Olympic Games, he won three gold medals in the 100 metres, 200 metres and 4 x 100 m relay, beating the world record each time – an unprecedented performance. Four years later, at the London Olympics, Bolt repeated his exploit and won three more gold medals while beating his own Olympic records. His desire to complete the triple-triple in Rio is clear evidence of the Jamaican star’s intention to cement the legend, and write another page in the book of sporting history. “The colour will be gold. I’m going to win all three events, there’s no other possibility for me when I compete.”
Usain Bolt became a Hublot ambassador in 2010. To mark 2016, a pivotal year for the fastest man in the world, the watchmaker is unveiling the Big Bang Unico Usain Bolt, which comes in two references. In its 45 mm Big Bang case, the flyback chronograph counts off the seconds with a lightning-bolt-shaped hand. Its green and gold accents and strap featuring an outline of the Jamaican flag are a reference to the athlete’s Caribbean homeland. On the sapphire caseback, which reveals the Unico manufacture movement, the silhouette of “Lightning Bolt" performs his famous victory sign.
With its case and bezel in 18K 3N yellow gold and its shiny gold bracelet, the first version of the Big Bang Unico Usain Bolt symbolises the challenge the Jamaican athlete has set himself in Rio. The second reference is an All Black with highlights in the colours of Jamaica, cut out of ceramic. This model has its bezel screws made of gold, to reflect the six Olympic medals already won by the greatest record holder of all time.
You can access the slideshow by clicking on the image at the top of this article. Photos of Bolt and his Big Bang Unico Usain Bolt were taken in Jamaica.
