At LVMH Watch Week earlier this year, Hublot broke new ground in modern watchmaking with the futuristic MP-10 Tourbillon Weight Energy System (>>Go to related article). It’s like using a special move from the beginning. Perhaps that is why, in Watches & Wonders 2024, Hublot seems to have relaxed its focus and focused on the so-called ‘sidegrade’. There are no completely new models in the new releases list. Nevertheless, Hublot’s new product is worth seeing. Innovation in materials adds another layer of fun to watchmaking. It is completely different from the common side grade that changes your face color.
The MP-11 series debuted in 2018. At the time, a long power reserve of up to 14 days and a unique design that placed seven overlapping barrels vertically side by side showed another possibility for the Hublot MP (Master Piece) collection. The front sapphire crystal glass, which curves to match the long, reclining cylindrical barrel, also proves the technological prowess of replica Hublot, which is well-versed in material processing. Big Bang’s unique case was first introduced with transparent sapphire crystal and carbon materials, and has since expanded into various material variations such as king gold, magic gold, ceramic, and green saxem (unique sapphire material). This year, I once again updated my outfit with a clear blue sapphire crystal that wasn’t there before. Hublot calls this color, reminiscent of the transparent Mediterranean Sea, ‘water blue.’
Hublot is one of the pioneers in using sapphire crystal, which is difficult to process, for cases. He first introduced the Big Bang Sapphire series in the mid-2010s, and since then, he has begun coloring sapphire crystals based on the know-how he has accumulated while producing them. From basic transparent to black, blue, red, orange, purple, pink, yellow, and the newly added water blue with this year’s MP-11, it is difficult to find a brand with a color palette as diverse as Hublot’s in sapphire crystal. Hublot also carries out thorough sapphire crystal management and testing. He says he only uses materials for his cases that have passed accelerated aging simulations and rigorous water resistance tests. For reference, the MP-11’s water resistance is 30m.
There is no separate dial on the MP-11. The movement (automatic in-house caliber HUB9011) is the dial. The gear train was placed upward to avoid the large cylindrical barrel, and the hour/minute hands were fixed directly on the corresponding axis accordingly. The balance and escapement are also located at 2 o’clock. All seven cylindrical barrels of extraordinary presence are placed perpendicularly on one axis. When winding, a long rod-shaped wheel connected to the crown axis rotates and winds the barrel little by little. The part that penetrates the exact center of the movement can be seen on the back. The remaining power reserve is displayed in intuitive Arabic numerals by rotating a cylindrical roller located right next to the barrel. It’s good to wind it yourself to get a feel for it, but it takes quite a long time to wind all seven barrels. Of course, it requires more labor than you can imagine. That’s why the MP-11 comes with a dedicated tool in the form of a pen that automatically winds the crown.
The strap uses a transparent rubber band of the same color to maximize the color and transparency of the sapphire crystal case. Of course, the buckle is made of titanium considering the folding structure and durability. Instead, a water blue colored logo was engraved on the surface of the buckle to somewhat match the case and strap.
Leave a Reply