In the 19th century, pocket watches were a status symbol. With the advent of time and evolution in haute horology, they lost their luster. But these are now regaining a stride. They are coming back in fashion, merging the vintage with the modern. For me, this was actually relayed best in the MP-16 Arsham Droplet pocket watch launched last year. The partnership watch has enjoyed a graceful success over the past year, being as much a piece of art as it is a functional object. Now, it is getting a successor, not in the pocket size, but a wearable version.
Continuing on the success of the pocket watch, Hublot is collaborating once again with the artist and brand ambassador, Daniel Arsham, for a wristwatch, which by no means is an ordinary timepiece. The new Hublot MP-17 MECA-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire rewrites the rulebook of watchmaking with the fluid evolution of artistic horology, the company notes.
Designer: Arsham Droplet + Hublot
The watch, therefore, is easily a wearable sculpture powered by Hublot’s in-house Meca-10 manual-winding movement. It features a mesmerizing interplay of water, time, and art, which, much like the pocket watch, captures the convergence of past, present, and future. It encapsulates a form inspired by the fluidity of water and is an epitome of modern watchmaking and art.
Design and Craftsmanship
Writing about watches that are beyond the ordinary complications is fascinating and challenging at the same time. Every detail on such watches is, of course, created with close and careful consideration, watchmaking finesse, and a lot of taste. Something that is evident in the Hublot MP-17 MECA-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire, a watch that reimagines a contemporary timepiece as an ancient artifact, every Hublot collector and deep-pocketed individual is going to absolutely appreciate.
This limited-edition partnership watch from Hublot and Daniel Arsham features a time-tested sapphire crystal bezel within a titanium case with rubber accents. Hublot has been teaming up with some of the coolest artists to deliver timepieces that art collectors can wear and show off. The MP-17 MECA-10 Arsham is a little different, being part of a partnership with the brand ambassador who has given the watch a nice splash motif: a water-inspired dial similar to the MP-16’s droplet theme.
The distinct shape of the open-worked dial resting within the worn-out rubber accents is peculiar, and so are the hands within. While the hour hand is well-sized, the minutes hand seems too long to fit inside, but it does somehow, extending right to the edge of the dial, which gives one a great view of the movement.
The specifications and movement
The watch’s transparent structure that exudes clarity and motion of water, at first, looks different from any Hublot we are accustomed to. But a closer look immediately gives out obvious details. The watch features six H-screws on the bezel and caseback. The interplay of visibility on the 42 mm case watch, housing the compact Meca-10 manual-wind movement inside, is apparent on the caseback as on the dial. The caseback offers a glimpse of the movement, featuring 29 jewels, and the limited edition marking is visible outside the see-through window.
The MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire measures 15.35mm in thickness and is priced at $69,000. Marked with a water resistance rating of 50 meters, the watch is strictly limited to only 99 examples and is available now through Hublot’s boutiques and authorized retailers.
The post Hublot MP-17 MECA-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire explores time fluidity through water-inspired case first appeared on Yanko Design.