Here’s Your Guide To Hublot’s 2024 Creative Collaborations
From the Arsham Droplet to Sang Bleu’s new sapphire installment, discover the playful designs pushing the boundaries of horology.
Over the past decade, Hublot has welcomed innovations in its watchmaking by teaming up with new-age artists and creatives. Boasting signature mediums outside the horological field, their alternative design perspectives have led to the creation of collaborative watches that confidently go outside the box.
A number of forthcoming drops see the brand delve deeper into the creative realm this year. With contemporary artist and newly appointed brand ambassador Daniel Arsham, Hublot expands its existing artist portfolio by tapping a handful of new artistic creators for exclusive timepieces. Returning brand ambassadors Takashi Murakami, Richard Orlinski, and Maxime Plescia-Buchi of Sang Bleu have also released the latest editions of their ongoing partnerships as they continue to experiment with their aesthetic in horology.
With each drop proving to be a collector’s item in its own right, Hypebeast takes a closer look at the artist-led collaborations, unpicking the unique materials and mechanics that make up their designs.
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Arsham Droplet Pocket Watch
The three-way Arsham Droplet is arguably the most unconventional timepiece that Hublot has put out. Acting as a pocket watch, pendant, and table clock, the Daniel Arsham-designed creation perfectly embodies his acclaimed “Future Relics” blueprint by turning the historical pocket watch into an otherworldly art piece.
As the name suggests, the design takes inspiration from fluid forms in nature, lending to its curved edges, mineral glass stand, circular-link chain, and teardrop-shaped crystals. This concept is thought through in the construction where an open-work titanium case shows off the rounded mechanics. New innovations are also found in the watch’s 30m water resistance as well as its 10-day power reserve.
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Spirit of Big Bang Sang Bleu Sapphire
The Spirit of Big Bang Sang Bleu Sapphire marks the third Sang Bleu x Hublot collaboration with brand ambassador Maxime Plescia-Buchi. Revealed at this year’s Watches and Wonders, the latest piece sees a continuation from the previous drops, refining the geometric edges of the 2016 and 2023 timepieces with the transparency of sapphire. Plescia-Buchi incorporates the crystal in the bezel, dial, and one-click wraparound case, embracing the material’s “ghost-like, futuristic, and virtually architectural” quality.
More technical features of the watch include the HUB4700 skeletonized automatic chronograph and 50 hr power reserve as well as the specially designed Sang Bleu oscillating weight. All the elements come packed in the original 43mm barrel-shaped face, crafted with an innovative 3D machining technique.
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Classic Fusion Tourbillon Orlinski Colored Ceramic
Sculptor Richard Orlinski, another one of the brand’s well-loved ambassadors, returns this year for his next installment. Having made a name for himself in the watch world with his Hublot ceramic Classic Fusions, the artist brings back the model in two fresh colorways of “Yellow” and “Light Blue.”
For those less familiar with his signature design, the watch juxtaposes a ceramic face with a rubber strap to create an unconventional yet modern look on the wrist. Marrying the two materials together are rhodium-plated, silver-brushed bridges as well as a sapphire crystal face. With the introduction of the latest colorways, Orlinski shares how he is “far from finished” in his collaborative series, as he hopes to continue pushing forward his “Born Wild” spirit with Hublot’s innovative technology and materials.
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MP-15 Takashi Murakami Tourbillon Sapphire Rainbow
Though Takashi Murakami boasts a number of Hublot collaborations, it wasn’t until the release of the MP-15 model last year that the artist truly raised the attention of watch collectors. The exclusively-designed timepiece is made distinct with his flower hallmark encasing a central tourbillon, lending to a fresh and luxurious expression of his kawaii aesthetic.
Coming off the sapphire edition drop, the brand now unveils a bejeweled version that mimics the style of the Only Watch auction piece. Instead of a rainbow gradient radiating from the center, 444 gemstones are arranged by color on each petal. The iconic smiley face motif also makes an appearance, laser engraved on the domed sapphire crystal.
Shop the releases online or at Hublot boutiques in Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, and Galleria Mall Abu Dhabi.
