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The Nyon-based house unveiled its last co-creation with the contemporary artist Takashi Murakami, introducing the MP-15 Takashi Murakami Tourbillon Sapphire Rainbow, reimagining the Japanese artist’s iconic smiling flower as a sapphire sculpture set with colourful gemstones and fitted with Hublot’s first central tourbillon movement.
Symbol of a friendship in full bloom, this timepiece harmoniously blends contemporary art, avant-garde watchmaking and an exceptional setting of precious stones. Hublot has pioneered the latter using unexpected techniques and demonstrating mastery of the perfect rainbow effect. This requires carefully selecting gemstones that work together in a perfect transition of tones.
Meticulously crafted from a block of sapphire crystal, the modestly sized 42mm smiling flower case features 12 petals. True to Murakami’s highly chromatic palette, the latter feature polished titanium inlays with 444 coloured gemstones in total, including brilliant-cut Rubies, Pink Sapphires, Amethysts, Blue Sapphires, Blue Topazes, Tsavorites and Yellow or Orange Sapphires. These stones are grouped together so that each petal is in a different vibrant colour, just like the original Murakami smiling flower.
Alongside this incredible gemsetting feat, the MP-15 timepiece is powered by a truly revolutionary mechanical calibre. At the heart of the HUB9015 calibre is the central flying tourbillon, which can be admired through the domed sapphire crystal engraved with two twinkling eyes and a smiling mouth. The central tourbillon is an exceedingly rare type of complication that demands advanced engineering and reimagining how a mechanical movement is built. In the MP-15, it is driven by means of a manual-winding calibre that boasts an exceptional 120-hour power reserve – enough to run for nearly a whole week. To make the winding experience as effortless as possible, Hublot has created a special rechargeable stylus that’s placed on the crown, which winds the twin barrels in 100 revolutions.
With this work of sculptural, wearable art, the notion of innovative and original watchmaking nonetheless takes centre-stage. Surrounding the central flying tourbillon and keeping its view unobstructed, the hours and minutes are indicated by two hand tips that revolve around its periphery. The hands are actually positioned beneath the tourbillon cage, with just their tips bent upwards and outwards thanks to an intricate co-axial construction. Making the reading of time effortless and intuitive, the opening features a flange ring set with twelve baton hour-markers, each continuing the colour of the petal. The visual intrigue of the MP-15 is further enhanced by the fact that most of the movement’s components have been skeletonised, creating the appearance of floating in a vacuum.
The finishing touch comes in the form of the strap, which is transparent and adorned with Takashi Murakami’s signature flower motif. Like the case, the folding clasp of this 20-piece limited edition is crafted in sapphire crystal and titanium.
November 14, 2024