In an impressive melding of advanced technology, historical exploration, and the tradition of precision watchmaking, Hublot, a pioneering Swiss watch manufacturer, has embarked on an exceptional project that intertwines the past with the present through its involvement with the Antikythera archaeological site. Delve into the fascinating collaboration between Hublot and the world of archaeology, exploring the depths of the Mediterranean to uncover the mysteries of the ancient Antikythera mechanism, an astronomical calculator that predates modern horology by millennia. Through a decade of archaeological adventures and groundbreaking technological contributions, Hublot not only pays homage to the origins of watchmaking but also propels it into the future, proving that understanding our past is crucial in the quest for innovation.
Why is Hublot invested in the famous archaeological site of Antikythera?
How can you write the future if you don’t know your past? This question, which is as old as time itself, finds a particular resonance in Hublot‘s commitment to the archaeological site of Antikythera. Hublot embarks on a unique project combining adventure, innovation and an homage to world heritage to bring the ancient Antikythera mechanism back to life and to trace the origins of the art of watchmaking.
So complex that it took fifty years for renowned physicist Derek de Sola Price to discover its true potential. This mechanism, the oldest known astronomical calculator, was used to predict the positions of the Sun and Moon, and therefore the exact dates of solar and lunar eclipses.
The story of Hublot and Antikythera began in 2008, when an article in Sciences & Vie unveiled “Mankind’s First Calculator”. Discovered in 1901 in the depths of the sea near the island of Antikythera, this mechanism, dating back to two centuries BC, is recognised as one of the most astonishing underwater discoveries ever made. Why has this mysterious object attracted so much attention? Imagine an amalgam of rock and oxidised bronze,
Why is Hublot invested in the famous archaeological site of Antikythera?
How can you write the future if you don’t know your past? This question, which is as old as time itself, finds a particular resonance in Hublot’s commitment to the archaeological site of Antikythera. Hublot embarks on a unique project combining adventure, innovation and an homage to world heritage to bring the ancient Antikythera mechanism back to life and to trace the origins of the art of watchmaking.
The story of Hublot and Antikythera began in 2008, when an article in Sciences & Vie unveiled “Mankind’s First Calculator”. Discovered in 1901 in the depths of the sea near the island of Antikythera, this mechanism, dating back to two centuries BC, is recognised as one of the most astonishing underwater discoveries ever made. Why has this mysterious object attracted so much attention? Imagine an amalgam of rock and oxidised bronze, so complex that it took fifty years for renowned physicist Derek de Sola Price to discover its true potential. This mechanism, the oldest known astronomical calculator, was used to predict the positions of the Sun and Moon, and therefore the exact dates of solar and lunar eclipses.
“Records show that the history of watchmaking dates back to the 16th century“, explains Mathias Buttet, Research Director at Hublot Xplorations. However, the Antikythera takes us back to the early centuries before the modern era. By transposing this ancient mechanism into the movement of a modern wristwatch, Hublot is paying a bold tribute to ancient ingenuity. Four exceptional watches have been created to be exhibited in the world’s most prestigious museums, making Hublot the guardian of the oldest known watch mechanism.
Hublot, a young brand founded in 1980, is now the standard-bearer and protector of this ancient wonder. What motivates a modern watchmaking company to invest so much energy in rediscovering an artefact that is over two thousand years old?
Perhaps it’s the desire to understand our ancestors, to revive their expertise and to fuse their genius with our contemporary technology. After all, is it not by exploring these timeless links that we discover the true essence of time?
A Decade of Archaeological Adventures at Antikythera
For a decade, Hublot Xplorations, the innovative technological arm of our R&D department, has been pushing the limits of the possible. Every year since 2014, a team of passionate engineers has embarked on a fascinating expedition to the underwater archaeological site of Antikythera.
Equipped with innovative technologies developed in-house, such as lifting balloons capable of moving blocks weighing more than 10 tonnes, these modern explorers are unlocking the mysteries of the deep.
This quest, which constitutes much more than a simple dig, is a journey through time. The wreck of the Antikythera ship, famed for the incredible mechanism that bears its name, gives us a window onto the ingenuity of our ancestors. In the last film in the Indiana Jones saga, this mechanism appears as a fabulous invention by Archimedes, capable of traveling through the ages and coveted by the forces of evil. But there are no evil villains or fantastical artefacts for our team – just an ongoing exploration of ancient knowledge of engineering and astronomy, the very foundations of modern watchmaking.
An extraordinary season of excavations at the Antikythera wreck
The 2024 Swiss-Greek expedition took place from 17 May to 20 June under ideal weather conditions, enabling significant progress to be made. This season’s most memorable discovery: a substantial part of the ship’s hull, sought after for 123 years, and revealed for the first time thanks to the rigorous scientific methods used by the teams led by Dr Angeliki G. Simosi and Professor Lorenz Baumer of the University of Geneva.
These discoveries raise new questions: Is the wreck a single vessel? How did this maritime disaster happen? To whom did the found human remains belong? Passengers or crew?
To unravel these mysteries, we have implemented a number of sophisticated techniques:
– Cartography and GIS: Use of databases and GIS systems to plan and document excavations.
– Underwater drones: In collaboration with the Hellenic Coast Guard, our drones have created detailed 3D models of the excavation sites, making it easier to coordinate diving operations.
– 3D scanners: Development of a special scanner by our R&D department to catalogue recovered objects.
Identification of archaeological layers and analysis of phytoliths, resins and caulking materials to understand the structure and contents of the ship.
This year’s excavations are providing answers and opening up new perspectives on ancient maritime history. They demonstrate our commitment to pushing the limits of discovery and honouring the legacy of our predecessors.
Rich Discoveries: A Treasure Hidden Beneath the Waves
On the shores of the Aegean Sea, where the waves whisper the secrets of past civilisations, our Hublot Xplorations team continues to unravel the threads of time. 2024 has proved to be an exceptional year, with discoveries as amazing as they are intriguing.
Based on the experience accumulated during previous campaigns, our exploration of the area has uncovered around 300 objects or groups of objects, including 21 fragments of marble, including 18 statues, numerous components of the ship’s structure and over 200 ceramic shards. Like clues to a lost past, these artefacts guide us through the buried history of this remarkable site.
Part of the Ship’s Hull: Silent Witnesses to the Past
The most significant discovery this year is undoubtedly a substantial part of the ship’s hull, which has remained mysteriously intact during its long immersion. Large planks and frames, as well as pieces of wood pierced with holes or fitted with pegs, have been unearthed, providing a fascinating insight into ancient shipbuilding techniques. However, these discoveries raise an intriguing question: Are we dealing with a single vessel or several? The disparity between the dimensions of the planks recovered this year and those from previous digs raises doubts. Scientific analysis of the wood will soon reveal more about the era and the origin of this enigmatic structure.
Marble and Ceramics: Fragments of Art and Life
The fragments of marble that have been found, most of which are concentrated at the top of the site, tell a story of art and refinement. Two fragments of skull caps, several fingers, toes and draperies reveal varying quality and anatomical relevance, indicating that this is not a single statue. These relics of a bygone era allow us to imagine the splendour of the ancient sculptures.
Ceramic discoveries complete this historical picture. In addition to the fragments extracted from the stratigraphic layers, we rediscovered a well-established typology of amphora: Kos, Rhodes, Kos half-amphorae, Ephesian/Nikandros group and Lamboglia 2. This campaign confirmed the abundance of Kos amphorae on the site, followed by Rhodes and Ephesian amphorae. The Lamboglia 2 amphorae, in particular, are more numerous than expected and come in three different types. During our exploration of Zone B, we also found some unusual types, such as Chios amphorae and a Rhodes amphora with twisted handles.
The on-site laboratory carried out visual and microscopic analyses of the ceramic bodies, revealing that black deposits present in the Eastern Greek amphorae were in fact putty used to make the vases less porous before the wine to be transported was poured in.
The Promise of New Horizons
These discoveries represent just the beginning of the surprises waiting to be found at the Antikythera site. Each fragment, each piece of wood or ceramic shard, is a piece of a puzzle that brings us a little closer to the truth about this ancient shipwreck. As we continue our quest, driven by passion and innovation, we know that there are other treasures waiting to be discovered, and perhaps even a second mechanism! Adding new chapters to this never-ending archaeological adventure.
Partners and Sponsors:
The Modern Guardians of Ancient Memory
We would like to thank the Ministry of Culture, the Minister and the departments, for their unfailing support for this research project. Under the generous auspices of H.E. the President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the Hublot Xplorations project is enriched by the invaluable contributions of its partners and sponsors. Like the heroes of ancient myths, these contemporary benefactors play a crucial role in our quest for the knowledge hidden beneath the waves.
The Allies of Adventure
On the front line, Swiss watch manufacture Hublot, whose diving watches are faithful companions to our explorers, is providing scientific and technical support. The Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation, a beacon of academic excellence in Greece, and the Swiss Nereus Research Foundation, a tireless research partner, actively support our mission. The telecommunications systems, vital to our coordination, are provided free of charge by Cosmote, making each dive and each discovery easier.
The mayor of Kythera and Antikythera, Efstratios Charchalakis, embodies the spirit of cordiality and support without which this adventure would be impossible. His steadfastness, and that of the few remaining inhabitants of the Antikythera islands, warms our hearts, reminding us that hospitality is a timeless value, just like the artefacts we unearth.
The Research Team: The Pioneers of Time
Under the expert supervision of diving architect Aikaterini Tagonidou and Athena Patsourou, representing the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sport’s Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities, work on the site is progressing apace. Alexandros Sotiriou from the University of Geneva is leading the project, accompanied by a team of diving archaeologists including Michelle Creisher Ogloblin and Isaac Ogloblin from the University of Haifa, as well as Orestes Manousos.
Alongside them, specialist divers Nicolas Giannoulakis, Stilianos Matsoukatidis, Harry Mitrou and Dimitris Stamoulis, as well as six members of the Hellenic Coast Guard’s underwater missions unit, make up an unrivalled specialist diving team. Their courage and expertise turn every exploration into a carefully orchestrated underwater ballet.
Documenting for Eternity
Patrizia Birchler Emery, Orestes Manousos and Timothy Pönitz of the University of Geneva are responsible for the rigorous documentation and creation of 3D models of the archaeological finds. The field laboratory, organised by Isaac Ogloblin with the support of Yanis Bitsakis of the University of Geneva and the Nereus Research Foundation, in collaboration with the University of Ioannina, is proving to be a nerve centre for our operations.
Geologist and chronologist Yannis Basiakos from the “Demokritos” National Centre for Scientific Research joins the team to further the scientific discussions, adding a temporal dimension to our discoveries.
Technology in the Service of History
The Hublot Xplorations team, comprising Mathias Buttet, Aloïs Aebischer and Guillaume Champain, are providing essential technical support, including audiovisual documentation and the use of underwater drones. These modern tools, like extensions of our own senses, allow us to capture every detail, every nuance of the treasures hidden beneath the water. This alliance of enthusiasts and specialists, joining forces across borders and disciplines, embodies the spirit of adventure and discovery that drives Hublot Xplorations. Together, we weave the threads of past and present, revering the mysteries of human history in a symphony of knowledge and curiosity.
About Hublot Xplorations
Hublot Xplorations is a research and exploration programme launched by Hublot in collaboration with academic institutions and scientific experts.
The aim of this programme is to push back the limits of exploration underwater, on land and in space, to contribute to the preservation of cultural heritage and to promote the advancement of scientific knowledge.
The excavations carried out on the Antikythera shipwreck are an integral part of this initiative, demonstrating Hublot’s commitment to archaeological research and exploration of the seabed.
HUBLOT
Hublot is a Swiss watch manufacturer founded in 1980 and based in Nyon. For its first ever timepiece, this fundamentally disruptive company combined gold with a rubber strap in a case with a design inspired by a ship’s porthole (hublot in French). Thus, the Art of Fusion was born, blending tradition, innovation, craftsmanship, worlds and talents. It became the brand’s aesthetic and technical signature.
This identity was strengthened in 2005 with the Big Bang, which attested to unrivalled expertise in terms of complications, manufacture movements and state-of-the-art materials. Carbon, titanium, ceramic and sapphire have been developed on this model to technical extremes.
This ground-breaking, high-quality approach to watchmaking is summed up in its philosophy ‘Be First, Unique and Different.’ It gradually led to other collections with innovative designs: Classic Fusion, Shaped Collection (Spirit of Big Bang, Square Bang) and Manufacture Pieces. These draw on high levels of craftsmanship, both in terms of the materials so dear to Hublot (such as Magic Gold, brightly-coloured ceramics and sapphires) and its manufacture movements (Unico chronograph, Meca-10 and grand complications such as the Tourbillon, the Cathedral Minute Repeater and the specific Manufacture Pieces movements).
Hublot’s world extends to powerful partnerships, including football. “Hublot Loves Football” has become the slogan at the world’s biggest sporting events (such as the FIFA World CupTM, Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA EUROTM) and through its ambassadors. This love of football continues in art, design, music, sport, fine dining and sailing. Lastly, Hublot’s involvement in joint environmental projects with SORAI and Polar Pod reflects its concern for the issues of the day. Over 135 boutiques around the world share Hublot’s fervour and values, alongside the Hublot.com e-commerce site.