Hublot has unveiled its latest creation, the MP-15 Takashi Murakami Tourbillon Only Watch.


Courtesy of HUBLOT

The central tourbillon could be interpreted as Hublot's attempt to bring Haute Horlogerie back into the spotlight. Alternatively, its round case resembles a child's drawing of a 12-petal daisy, with the addition of green as a symbol of hope. The greatest feature of the MP-15 Takashi Murakami Tourbillon Only Watch is that anyone can view it as a symbol of something important to them. High-tech, sophisticated, playful, unique, hypnotic... its value blossoms in countless colors. Inspired by Takashi Murakami's iconic flower, this watch is a creative fusion of Haute Horlogerie and Haute Joaillerie.

The flower motif is at the heart of Takashi Murakami's work. The Japanese artist has risen from humble beginnings to become one of the world's most sought-after artists and has been a Hublot Friend since 2020. While previous collaborative timepieces have always been released in limited quantities, this latest one is even more special, truly unique. Not only is it unique in the world, but its construction is also unique. What sets the MP-15 apart from any other timepiece created by the Hublot Manufacture in its more than 40 years of experience is its centrally placed tourbillon.

Hublot's First Central Tourbillon

Courtesy of HUBLOT

The Central Tourbillon symbolizes the union of art and watch design, an idea that resonates with Hublot's dedication to Haute Horlogerie and the worldview of Takashi Murakami. This idea, of course, places Haute Horlogerie at the physical center, but it also goes beyond that. As the beating heart of the watch, the tourbillon represents the heart of both the person who purchased this watch at an auction to support Duchenne muscular dystrophy research, and the children battling the disease.

In conceiving this watch, Takashi Murakami insisted on placing the tourbillon in the center. This model, Hublot's first central tourbillon, was a major challenge in itself, as the hour and minute displays, which also occupy a central position, would be highly complex. In response to Murakami's request, Hublot had to make the optimal choice to integrate the aesthetic elements and technical requirements of a central tourbillon.

Courtesy of HUBLOT

In this design, the cannon pinion and hour wheel had to rotate around the tourbillon support, creating a coaxial structure. This is made possible by the central flying tourbillon, suspended in mid-air, with two hands passing beneath its cage to display the hours and minutes. These hands point to 12 luminous indexes that reflect the colors of the 2023 Hublot For Only Watch, a design beloved by Takashi Murakami, perfectly realized by Hublot's Research and Development department.

Equipped with two barrels, this manual-winding movement offers a power reserve of approximately 150 hours (approximately one week), a highly unusual feature for such a complex construction. The barrels are arranged in series, on a single plane, their harmonious symmetry visible through the sapphire crystal caseback.

Superflat Flower Poem
Courtesy of HUBLOT

From the tourbillon and indices to the petals, fans of Takashi Murakami's colorful and poetic aesthetic will find his rhythms woven throughout the MP-15, from the interior to the exterior. The 12 petals, richly adorned with 444 gemstones, lend the timepiece a bright and joyous aesthetic. Like a real flower, the petals slope towards the center of the movement. A clear, vibrant border of color is the symbol of Only Watch 2023. The idea is to eschew the traditional rainbow gradient effect and instead play with the brightness of colors and the sparkle of gemstones, like a child playing with crayons, to create vibrant, superflat art on the wrist.

Courtesy of HUBLOT

But that's not all. To capture Takashi Murakami's worldview, the back of the MP-15 Only Watch is laser-engraved with two beaming eyes. This colorful timepiece allows you to step inside Murakami's vibrant imagination. The watch's bright energy is a celebration of the unknown and boundless curiosity of children.

A Collector's Item: Unique Calligraphy by Takashi Murakami's Person

With the MP-15, Takashi Murakami has created the ultimate gift for its purchaser, and no one can explain it better than Takashi Murakami himself. "I decided to take up calligraphy again. As my mother loved it, I attended calligraphy classes from the age of 5 until I was 17, eventually reaching the rank of seventh dan, the equivalent of an assistant instructor. After I went to art school, I practiced calligraphy less and less. However, my mother always brought up calligraphy when I talked! So I decided to get back into it, drawing directly on old coffee filter paper, which is an excellent base for ink. This allowed me to create the unique calligraphy "Time of Rainbow", inspired by the unique Only Watch 2023 watch I designed with Hublot."

Courtesy of HUBLOT

"MP-15 Takashi Murakami Tourbillon Only Watch" Product Overview
Model Number: 915.JX.4802.RT.1198.OWM23
Material: Case: Polished sapphire crystal
Bezel: Polished stainless steel, set with 444 colored gemstones
Strap: Transparent rubber with Takashi Murakami flower motif,
Sapphire crystal and titanium folding buckle
Movement: HUB9015 Manual-winding Central Tourbillon



Hublot
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