Hublot elevates watchmaking to an art form through the launch of a collaborative timepiece with Takashi Murakami. Riga Ramadhan reports from Singapore
Last November, DAMAN headed to Singapore to join a special launch event for the Hublot MP-15 Takashi Murakami Tourbillon Sapphire. For this collaborative timepiece, the Swiss watch manufacturer once again joined forces with its longtime collaborator, Takashi Murakami. In this team-up, the resulting watch takes the smiling flower—the iconic theme of the Japanese artist’s works—and transforms it into a whirlwind of transparency combined with a hypnotic central flying tourbillon.
The Next Frontier
Amid the dazzling ambience of Singapore’s historic Raffles Hotel, watch aficionados, VIP guests and influencers gathered to celebrate the debut of Hublot’s most recent collaborative watch, the MP-15 Takashi Murakami Tourbillon Sapphire. Hosted by The Hour Glass, this global launch event underlined Hublot’s passion for art and its dedication to pushing beyond the limits of watchmaking.
Takashi Murakami himself and Hublot’s CEO Ricardo Guadalupe were among the more than 600 attendees, many of whom traveled from around the globe to witness the exciting unveiling of the limited-edition timepiece. Among the distinguished guests were influential personalities from various realms, including Singaporean hip-hop musician Shigga Shay and famous rapper Twopee Southside from Thailand, who performed together for the first time and basically brought down the house.
The glamorous Tatjana Saphira and the everstylish Kelly Tandiono from Indonesia also joining the event. In a way, their presence added a layer of cultural diversity and creative flair to an already vibrant celebration, underscoring the universal allure of Hublot’s artistic collaborations.
Ode to Craftsmanship
Following speeches Ricardo Guadalupe and Takashi Murakami, the covers were lifted and the new MP-15 was revealed in all its glory. It’s safe to say the room collectively gasped at the breathtaking synthesis of Murakami’s artistic vision and Hublot’s technical prowess. The central flying tourbillon, elegantly showcased through the sapphire case, emerged as the star, casting a spellbinding aura over the gathering. In a nutshell, this sculptural masterpiece is not just unique, but completely different from anything the brand has created in its 40 years.
The dial—adorned with Murakami’s signature smiling flowers composed of 12 petals made entirely of sapphire—transforms the tourbillon into an exquisite canvas. The artist’s iconic flower motif features soft curves and bold, generous volumes. Furthermore, Murakami has underlined the mischievous nature of the design by incorporating two sparkling eyes and a broad smile.
As the first limited-edition Hublot watch with a central flying tourbillon, the quirky, playful, yet high-tech model MP-15 also offers a magnificent interpretation of the visual effects brought about by sapphire.
The Glory of Art
The star-studded Hublot MP-15 Takashi Murakami Tourbillon Sapphire launch event at Raffles Hotel Singapore was essentially a cohesive symphony of design and technology. And the sense of awe and admiration lingered for quite a long time, leaving a lasting impression on anyone fortunate to witness this horological masterpiece.
“This special event served as a reminder that in the hands of visionaries, a watch can transcend its utilitarian purpose and become a true work of art”
When the curtains eventually closed for the evening and the guests departed, the legacy of the MP-15 only just begun. It can be said with confidence that this special event served as a reminder that, in the hands of visionaries, a watch can transcend its utilitarian purpose and become a true work of art. So, while the celebrations may have concluded, the allure of the continuing collaboration with Takashi Murakami is taking Hublot to new lands of expression that are yet unexplored by the watchmaking world at large.