Hublot and Takashi Murakami have once again teamed up to produce the second watch in their collaboration. The first timepiece that was produced between the Swiss watchmaker and the Japanese artist was an all-black Classic Fusion timepiece with the artist’s iconic smiling flower being the centrepiece in the dial. The latest timepiece the duo have created is quite the opposite of their first creation. The Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Sapphire Rainbow takes the smiling flower and transforms it into a transparent artistic piece full of colour.
Takashi Murakami says that “this partnership with Hublot has enabled me to express my creativity in what is a new medium for me. The mastery of the watchmaker’s technicians has opened up new fields of possibilities for my inspiration. The result is this new watch in the colours of the rainbow.”
Design:
A technological feat that has been pioneered by Hublot, the Classic Fusion model is made from a 45mm case cut from sapphire crystal. This transparent background allows the viewer to see not only Takashi Murakami’s artistic creation but also the intricate details and mechanics of the timepiece itself.
The smiling flower takes centre stage as it takes on a three-dimensional appearance on appears to emerge from the dial of the watch. When viewed upon from different angles, the flower appears to be extending out beyond the sapphire crystal. Around the face of the flower, there are 12 colourful petals which are done in a rainbow effect. The colours of the rainbow are achieved by setting 487 stones that include rubies, pink sapphires, amethysts, blue sapphires, tsavorites, yellow and orange sapphires.
At first glance, one would think that the petals are fixed in place. However, thanks to an ingenious ball-bearing system designed by the engineers at Hublot, the petals start turning under the smiling face, bringing this colourful creation to life!
Movement:
The engine powering the Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Sapphire Rainbow is the brand’s HUB1214 calibre movement. This self-winding movement operates at a frequency of 4Hz (28, 800 VpH) and gives out a power reserve of approximately 72 hours. The case back of the watch shows the movement in clear view, with even the rotor being skeletonised to reveal more of the beauty underneath.
The watch strap that is offered matches and compliments the timepiece very well as it’s made from a transparent lined rubber wristband with a folding clasp in stainless steel. A direct contrast to Hublot and Takashi Murakami’s first creation, the Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Sapphire Rainbow is certainly a statement piece.
Hublot CEO, Ricardo Guadalupe summed it up best by stating that “our continuing collaboration with Takashi Murakami is taking us to new lands of expression as yet unexplored by the watchmaking world. In this work, artistic creation and our company’s know-how intertwine to give birth to a work of art you can wear on your wrist!”
