Time in Full Bloom: Hublot and Takashi Murakami's Latest Creative Symphony

Hublot’s philosophy revolves around being first, unique and different. The brand, renowned for its audacious and groundbreaking approach to watchmaking, chose a distinctive path by unveiling its inaugural central tourbillon within a timepiece shaped like a flower. This avant-garde brand collaborated again with the iconic artist Takashi Murakami, resulting in the Hublot MP-15 Takashi Murakami Tourbillon Sapphire, a limited edition masterpiece limited to 50 pieces. This release epitomizes the fusion of horology and artistry.In 2021, Hublot began its partnership with Takashi Murakami, debuting the all-black Classic Fusion. The unveiling of an all-sapphire Rainbow model succeeded this introduction. The subsequent year witnessed the launch of thirteen collaborative timepieces, commencing with the Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Black Ceramic Rainbow. Each watch delved into the artist’s “Smiling Flower” motif, expressing it with distinctive intricacy and artistry.In this exuberant creation, the unmistakable Smiling Flower motif, Murakami’s signature, is meticulously rendered in transparent sapphire. The transparent medium transforms the watch into a jubilant work of art, seamlessly integrating case and movement manufacturing. Notably, this collaboration began in 2021 with the all-black Classic Fusion, followed by the all-sapphire Rainbow model. The MP-15 Tourbillon Sapphire takes Murakami’s motif to new heights, bringing it into the realm of wearable art.

Crafted within a surprisingly compact 42mm wide case resembling 12 petals, the MP-15 is a luminous marvel when illuminated. The sapphire case is not merely ornamental; it houses Hublot’s first central HUB9015 Manual-Winding Tourbillon. The flying central tourbillon, devoid of an upper bridge, features the artist’s Smiling Flower image, subtly reinforcing the thematic element without overwhelming the design.Remarkably, the hour and minute hands, positioned peripherally, traverse beneath the tourbillon cage, resting on the same level as the escapement. This ingenious construction, utilizing Hublot’s co-axial design, necessitated repositioning the cannon pinion and hour wheel around the tourbillon. Far from a mere gimmick, the MP-15 boasts the manual-wind HUB9015 movement, comprising 236 parts, operating at 3 Hz, and offering an impressive 150-hour power reserve. watch hublot takashi murakami

Beyond its technical prowess, the watch introduces an extravagant winding system. A special stylus, rechargeable via USB, completes 100 revolutions to wind the movement fully.

Priced at CHF 300,000, the Hublot MP-15 Takashi Murakami Tourbillon Sapphire is not only an expensive and elaborate timepiece but, for aficionados, an exhilarating embodiment of Hublot’s unapologetically bold and divisive design ethos. Limited to 50 pieces, its exclusivity adds an extra layer of allure, making it a daring yet ambitious statement within the niche realm of artistic horology.

hublot takashi murakami

REFERENCE

915.JX.4802.RT

SIZE

42 mm

CASE

Polished Sapphire Crystal

BEZEL

Polished Sapphire Crystal

WATER RESISTANCE

30m or 3 ATM

CRYSTAL

Sapphire with Anti-reflective Treatment

DIAL

Polished Transparent Composite Resin

MOVEMENT

HUB9015 Manual-Winding Tourbillon

POWER RESERVE

150 Hours

STRAP

Transparent Decorated Rubber

CLASP

Sapphire Crystal and Titanium Deployant Buckle