Hublot MP-15 Takashi Murakami Tourbillon Sapphire

The Hublot MP-15, developed in collaboration with Takashi Murakami and limited to just 50 pieces, is a groundbreaking timepiece featuring a central flying tourbillon. Unlike traditional watches, the MP-15 lacks a conventional dial; instead, the tourbillon occupies the central position. This model showcases Hublot’s first series-produced central flying tourbillon, marking a significant milestone in the company’s 40-year history.

Surrounding the tourbillon is Murakami’s signature flower motif, crafted entirely from sapphire. The design emphasizes transparency to enhance luminosity, incorporating a sapphire case, case-back, crown, and a translucent flange and strap. This transparency allows light to pass through, highlighting the watch’s intricate details.

The MP-15 Takashi Murakami Tourbillon Sapphire boasts an impressive 150-hour power reserve. A unique, USB-rechargeable stylus is provided for winding the watch, which smoothly winds the crown through 100 revolutions to power the tourbillon fully. Murakami adds a playful touch with twinkling eyes and a smile on the tourbillon.

The watch’s hour and minute hands are peripheral, moving beneath the tourbillon cage in a design departure from traditional watchmaking. This arrangement required innovative co-axial construction of the cannon pinion and hour wheel around the tourbillon support. The tourbillon itself is designed without an upper bridge and is fully skeletonized, showcasing the intricate gears and components.

Despite its innovations, the MP-15 retains standard features for ease of use, like white indices on the flange and black-plated hands with white SuperLuminova for readability. The watch is traditionally wound and set using a 3 o’clock crown. Its 42 mm diameter and integrated rubber strap ensure comfort and wearability.