Form and design have always been two central elements in the world of watchmaking. Initially conceived with a purely practical function related to legibility or ergonomics, over the decades they have transformed into true expressive tools. Through aesthetic and design choices, in fact, the watch has ceased to be only a functional object, becoming also a means of creative communication.

Hublot’s Art of Fusion

Among the brands that have contributed most to this path of evolution is Hublot, a maison that has made the marriage of innovation and tradition its signature. Since its inception, Hublot has demonstrated a clear will: to break the conventional patterns of classical watchmaking in order to introduce new aesthetic codes. This approach is perfectly summed up in the motto “Art of Fusion,” or the art of fusing seemingly opposite elements to give birth to something radically new.

In 2005, this philosophy took concrete form with the presentation of the Big Bang, a model that represented a turning point in the brand’s history. Twenty-five years after the first watch produced by Hublot, the Big Bang renews the concept of fusion, combining materials that until then were rarely associated with each other, such as steel, ceramic, and titanium. If today such juxtapositions seem natural, two decades ago they marked a real revolution.

Since that time, Hublot has embarked on a path of continuous research, which in 2016 led to the creation of the first watch made entirely of sapphire and, subsequently, the “Master of Sapphire” collection, featuring colored sapphire cases. This line confirmed the house’s ability to master complex materials and remain true to its founding philosophy.

Now in 2025, this propensity for innovation is renewed with the unveiling of the new MP-17 MECA-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire, born from a collaboration with New York-based artist Daniel Arsham. The goal is once again to push the boundaries of watch design and aesthetics.

Water the inspiring element

The natural element that inspired this creation is water, a symbol of fluidity and transformation. Hublot had previously collaborated with Arsham to create theMP-16 Arsham Droplet, a pocket watch whose case echoed the shape of a droplet. The new MP-17 represents the evolution of that vision: the titanium case houses a sapphire bezel that reveals the time through an aperture, as if the droplet in the previous model had affected the dial.

The 42mm-diameter case is made of micro-sandblasted titanium, a lightweight yet durable material, while the “box” bezel is made of synthetic sapphire, chosen for its purity and hardness. Through the opening it is possible to admire a skeletonized dial that showcases every detail of the internal mechanics, transforming the movement into an integral part of the aesthetics.

Mechanics and construction

The beating heart of the watch is the in-house manual caliber MECA-10, developed entirely by Hublot. The movement was redesigned to ensure a low thickness and visual harmony with the case. Thanks to the presence of two barrels arranged in parallel, the watch offers a power reserve of 10 days, a remarkable achievement for a timepiece in this category.

The reserve indicator, located at 3 o’clock, takes advantage of a refined system consisting of two overlapping discs that rotate in opposite directions.

Hublot’s typical aesthetic codes are perfectly recognizable in elements such as the six screws on the bezel, the titanium deployant clasp with “H” clasp, and the rubber strap, the brand’s signature element. The hands and hour markers are coated with Arsham Green Super-LumiNova, a detail that adds a touch of personality.

Time as an artistic concept

The deeper meaning of this project is explained by Daniel Arsham himself, who describes his vision this way: “My work illustrates the collapse of time. It is not clear whether it is an object from the past or the future.”

Here Arsham describes the clock to us not only as an instrument for measuring time, but as an object capable of merging memory and anticipation, past and future into a single creation.

Julien Tornare, CEO of Hublot, also stressed the importance of this collaboration, “The partnership with Daniel Arsham explores new forms and perceptions. It is a testament to Hublot’s Art of Fusion, which fuses art and fine watchmaking to create a visually stunning and innovative timepiece. This timepiece invites us to see time in a new light through Arsham’s unique vision.”

Price and conclusions

The new MP-17 MECA-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire will be produced in 99 numbered examples and will have a starting price of 69,000 euros.

With this creation, Hublot continues to push the boundaries of the possible, taking the concept of Art of Fusion to the next level. In this case, the watch becomes a functional sculpture, a conceptual object capable of redefining the very meaning of time. Now that Hublot has made a teardrop and spray watch, what do you think will be the next water-related form?

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