The ever-evolving advancements in the technical aesthetics of the timepiece meet the mechanical mastery of the MP-11.
Hublot is well known for stepping outside the box and creating truly unique and innovative timepieces. The brand’s MP11 collection is a testament to this, with the range dedicated to limited-edition timepieces that serve as a testament to how far the boundaries of watchmaking can be pushed.
It’s hard to imagine that the Hublot MP-11 is almost six years old, as the first model was released at Baselworld in 2018. A creation that defied convention, the MP-11 was certainly unique, a first of its kind, and different. When the models were first released in 2018, Hublot offered them in either a sapphire case or 3D-carbon. The brand is well-known for its daring spirit in creating innovative sapphire timepieces and experimenting with different colours when it comes to this material.
The MP-11 was created using new movement technology that can offer extremely long power reserves. This innovation started with Hublot’s MP-05 La Ferrari, which offered an eye-opening 50-day power reserve! While the MP-11 takes a hit in power reserve with only 14 days, it makes up for it by having a somewhat traditional case design that offers more comfortable wearability.
“The uniqueness of Hublot–a fully integrated Manufacture–lies in its technical excellence interms of both its movements and its exterior. R&D is at the heart of our DNA, and each MP, shaped by our profoundly innovative approach, is an opportunity for us to test new sapphires that may later become part of our regular collections. Our MPs are a laboratory, an exploration of what the watchmaking of tomorrow might look like today.”
Ricardo Guadalupe – HUBLOT CEO
Hublot has given the MP-11 some of the most daring aesthetic interpretations. Since the creation of the original timepiece, the brand has released the model in ceramic, SAXEM, Magic Gold, 3D Carbon and Sapphire. Sapphire, however, remains as the material of choice, especially for this model. This latest release, the MP-11 Water Blue Sapphire, is a testament to this.
The Water Blue Sapphire is a brand new shade of sapphire that is based on a new formula created by Hublot. This custom development features an exclusive transparency index. However, the brand has managed to keep properties of sapphire that make it desirable, such as its brilliance, luminosity, alterability, and its 100% scratch and knock resistance. Hublot states that “we must also highlight its exemplary polishing, a very delicate operation usually completed by hand. The result required compliance with a very strict set of specifications and took several years to develop and test, in particular, to simulate accelerated aging and guarantee flawless water resistance. The result is close to perfection, in line with the spirit of the MP collection.”
Hublot Big Bang MP-11 Power Reserve 14 Days Water Blue Sapphire – Side profile 
Hublot Big Bang MP-11 Power Reserve 14 Days Water Blue Sapphire – Side profile (2)
The dial retains the same design as the original MP-11, with the barrels displayed at 6 o’clock and the off-centre time dial shown under the 12 o’clock indices. The dial is skeletonised (including the time dial) so that as much of the movement can be shown. To match the “water blue” colour of the sapphire case, Hublot has coated the time-dials hands, and hour indices in sky blue/ light blue Superlumi-Nova. This coloured coating, instead of the standard white Superlumi-Nova, also helps greatly to read the time against the skeletonised background.
The MP-11 sets a high bar for its aesthetic design and delivers 14 days of power reserve. Seven barrels, all of which can be seen from the dial, deliver life to this impressive timepiece. But the innovation doesn’t stop there. The technology behind positioning the barrels to minimise the thickness of the movement (and ultimately the case) showcases Hublot’s pinnacle of inventiveness in watchmaking.
The brand explains the barrels’ construction as follows: “To maintain a conventional height (10.9 mm), the seven barrels are coaxial and vertical. They are not integrated into the movement’s thickness. They are physically in front of it, set at 90° to it. To allow their 336 hours of power reserve to reach the movement, Hublot had to design a tailor-made device: a 90° transmission that uses a helical worm gear, following the principle of an endless screw.“
“The wheel in question is clearly visible between 9 and 10 o’clock. To ensure harmony with this mechanism, Hublot has taken care to place the balance opposite it at 2 o’clock, with its rate at 4 o’clock. The Hublot HUB9011 calibre, with 270 components, is also distinguished by its patented index-assembly system and silicon escapement, which protect the movement from any electromagnetic or thermal interference.“
Final Thoughts
The ever-evolving advancements in the technical aesthetics of the timepiece meet the mechanical mastery of the MP-11! It’s certainly no easy feat to create different colours from sapphire, but it’s a process that Hublot has mastered and is able to use on the highly technical avant-garde MP collection.
Although the MP-11 has already had a host of beautiful case materials, this “water blue” sapphire case has to be one of my favourites. If you have seen a sapphire case in real life, you know that the material produces some of the most amazing glimmers and shines from a watch case, especially when refracting with sunlight. Now imagine that sapphire case in a beautiful aqua-blue colour. This is a totally new colour for Hublot when it comes to their sapphire creations, and it’s one I hope they use in more of their collections!
Reference: WATER BLUE SAPPHIRE911.JL.0129.RX
Specification
- Case: 45mm x 14.4mm thickness
- Case Material: Water Blue Sapphire case with “one-click” strap change system.
- Dial: Sapphire crystal
- Crystal: Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective treatment.
- Water resistance: 30m (3 Bar)
- Movement: HUB9011 Manufacture manual winding skeleton power reserve movement with 7 series-coupled barrels and power reserve display roll
- Movement Frequency: 4hz (28,800 VpH)
- Power reserve: 14 days (336 hours!)
- Bracelet: Water Blue transparent lined structured rubber strap with titanium deployant buckle clasp
Australian Recommended Retail Price: $254,000 AUD
Availability: Limited Edition model of 50 timepieces. Purchase through only Hublot boutiques or online at Hublot.com.au.
