The Hublot MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire is a bold chapter in the ongoing creative dialogue between Swiss watchmaker Hublot and American artist Daniel Arsham. Presenting a dynamic, fluid interpretation of time, this wristwatch is a true sculptural masterpiece that merges contemporary art with horological precision. Its design embodies the essence of flowing water, transparency, and organic forms, distinguishing itself as an innovative piece in the realm of luxury watchmaking.
The dial of this watch is nothing short of a visual statement. Central to the design is a splash-shaped aperture, evoking the natural motion and essence of water. This motif evolves beautifully from Arsham’s earlier work on the Hublot MP-16 Arsham Droplet, deepening the interplay between form and time perception. The dial’s surface is rhodium plated and microblasted to a shining finish, playing host to subtle yet vivid green Superluminova accents on the hour and minute hands, numerals, and markers. These elements provide a modern contrast and enhance legibility. The small seconds hand at the 9 o’clock position and the power reserve indicator at 3 o’clock, also marked in green, further complement the dial’s artistic yet functional layout, inviting the wearer to view time as a fluid experience rather than a rigid sequence.
At the heart of this watch beats the in-house Hublot HUB1205 calibre, a manual-winding skeleton movement. Measuring 33.5 mm in diameter and 6.8 mm in thickness, this movement is a technical marvel comprising 264 components and 29 jewels, operating at 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations per hour). Its standout feature is an impressive power reserve of 240 hours, or 10 days, which is visually communicated via the dial’s power reserve indicator. The grey PVD finishing adds a contemporary tone to the mechanism visible through both the dial aperture and a sapphire caseback, enhancing the wearer’s connection to the watch’s mechanical soul. This calibre embodies Hublot’s commitment to mechanical excellence fused with aesthetic innovation.
The case of the MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash is a study in material ingenuity and artisanal craftsmanship. Crafted from shiny microblasted titanium, it measures a compact 42 mm in diameter and 15.35 mm thick, dimensions that strike a balance between presence and wearability. The bezel, made of frosted, box-shaped sapphire crystal, lends a frosted texture and extraordinary transparency that beautifully echoes the watch’s water-inspired theme. Six H-shaped titanium screws adorn both the bezel and the caseback, framing the piece with a signature touch of Hublot’s industrial design language. The watch features distinctive lugs at 3 and 9 o’clock and a titanium H-shaped folding clasp securing the rubber strap, which is charmille grained and adorned with Arsham’s monogram, further blending artistry with utility. Water resistance is rated at 50 metres, ensuring daily robustness alongside artistic refinement.
In conclusion, the MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire is not simply a time-telling instrument but a contemporary wearable sculpture. It expresses Daniel Arsham’s fascination with time’s fluidity and the blurring of past, present, and future moments. Hublot’s partnership with Arsham brings together pure watchmaking craftsmanship and avant-garde aesthetics in a way that challenges convention while inviting collectors to see time through an artist’s lens. With a limited production of 99 pieces and a price commanding the upper echelons of haute horlogerie, this watch embodies both rarity and a fresh perspective on artistic horology, making it a coveted piece for aficionados who treasure innovation and creativity in equal measure.