Hublot Teams Up With Takashi Murakami On See-Through Flower Timepiece

Hublot has teamed up with artist Takashi Murakami on a new limited-edition timepiece that’s bound to capture the attention of watch enthusiasts and art lovers alike.

With just 50 pieces available worldwide, the highlight of the MP-15 is its central flying tourbillon, a first for the brand’s exclusive releases.

One will immediately notice the absence of a traditional dial. This is because Hublot has fused the case, movement, and dial into a singular, visually captivating arrangement.

The central flying tourbillon takes the spotlight, defying watchmaking norms as it resides in the center, surrounded by Murakami's iconic sapphire flower motif.

This motif features 12 delicately crafted sapphire petals, creating a sense of absolute transparency and maximizing the watch’s luminosity.

Impressively, the central tourbillon in the MP-15 boasts a remarkable power reserve of up to 150 hours, and to ensure the tourbillon is fully wound, the timepiece comes with a special stylus.

This stylus, designed by Murakami himself, attaches to the crown and winds the watch with 100 smooth revolutions. It’s a playful touch with a nod to the artist’s signature design, complete with two twinkling eyes and a broad smile.

On the watch face, the hour and minute hands are positioned peripherally, passing beneath the tourbillon cage, challenging traditional watchmaking principles.

The designers achieved this feat by pivoting the cannon pinion and hour wheel around the tourbillon support, creating a co-axial construction.

Additionally, the tourbillon comes without an upper bridge, allowing all of its components to be visible so that they appear to float in space.

Despite its innovative and artistic design, the watch remains functional for everyday wear.

12 white indices mark the flange for easy reading, and black-plated hands with white SuperLuminova ensure legibility, day or night.

The watch is traditionally wound and set using a crown at 3 o’clock, and its modest 42 mm diameter makes it comfortable to wear, including an integrated rubber strap.

[via Penta and L’Officiel, images via Hublot]