When a watch becomes a work of art: The Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami All Black blurs the lines! For its first collaboration with a Japanese contemporary artist, Hublot has pushed at the boundaries of creation by developing a new dynamic on the theme of Murakami’s artistic emblem, the smiling flower.

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Hublot loves Art! Before we know how to talk, we sing. Before we know how to write, we draw. We can barely stand up and we dance. Art is at the very foundation of human beings, a truth that has been embraced by the Hublot manufacture through its “The Art of Fusion” motto. The watchmaking manufacture regularly draws on great creative spirits. Hublot team of ambassadors is now joined for the first time by one of the most internationally renowned living artists: Takashi Murakami.

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His visually very modern style offers a subtle reflection between Japanese tradition and pop culture. He masterfully achieves this result by combining leading-edge multimedia tools with traditional Japanese techniques such as gold leaf. A real rock star in the contemporary art world, he coined the name Superflat for the artistic movement he began.

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An initial visit to the Hublot manufacture in February 2020 enabled Takashi Murakami to familiarise himself with the work of a watchmaker and timepiece design. This triggered a creative process that resulted in the very innovative Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami, inspired by Murakami’s icon, the smiling flower.

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Here, it is present both in and on the watch. Thanks to an ingenious ball-bearing system developed by Hublot’s engineers, its petals start turning. The center of the smiling flower is inserted onto the sapphire glass, creating a unique three-dimensional effect to go along with its wide prominent smile.

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The Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami All Black takes up one of the most evocative Hublot signatures, the All Black! Invented by Hublot in 2006, it turns out that the “All Black” style is also one of Murakami’s artistic signatures. For an even more pronounced effect, the petals (456 brilliants) and face (107 brilliants) are here set with black diamonds.

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The watchmakers in Nyon have installed their manufacture Unico calibre in the case with its Classic Fusion emblematic design, a movement offering a 72-hour power reserve. As the first collaboration between Hublot and a Japanese artist, the Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami All Black will quickly become a real collector’s item since it is limited to only 200 models.

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“Takashi Murakami is an international star, not only in contemporary art circles but also with the general public. He shakes up the borders between art and pop culture. It is a real privilege to see him join our team of ambassadors. We are delighted with the launch of this watch-work of art!” - Ricardo Guadalupe, Hublot CEO.

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“When I visited the Hublot manufacture in Switzerland for the first time, I realized to what extent the traditional know-how, precision, futuristic technology and craftsmanship were all intertwined in the creation of a watch. Bringing my art into the creativity of these watchmakers represents a unique adventure for me.” - Takashi Murakami, Contemporary Artist.

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Hublot Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami All Black

Technical specifications:

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Reference: 507.CX.9000.RX.TAK21

Case:

·      Satin-finished and Polished Black Ceramic

·      On Top the Polished Smiling 3D Flower Head Set with 107 Black Diamonds

·      Diameter 45 mm

·      Thickness 13.45 mm

·      Water Resistant 50 m

Case-Back: Case-back Satin-finished Black Ceramic and Sapphire Crystal

Bezel: Satin-finished and Polished Black Ceramic

Dial:

·      Black Lacquered Dial Rotating Decor with 12 Black-plated petals

·      Set with 456 Black Diamonds

Movement:

·      MHUB1214 UNICO COMPLICATIONS

·      Self-winding Movement

·      Main Plate & Bridges Anthracite Ruthenium

·      Oscillating Weight Anthracite Grey-plated

·      Tungsten Oscillating

·      Weight with Microblasted and Satin-finished Surface

·      Escapement Swiss Silicon Lever Escapement

·      No. of Components 256

·      Jewels 30

·      Frequency (Hz) 4 (28’800 A/h)

·      Power Reserve 72 Hours

Strap & Buckle:

·      Black Lined Rubber Straps

·      Black-plated Stainless Steel

·      Deployant Buckle Clasp

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The price for the Hublot Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami All Black Ref. 507.CX.9000.RX.TAK21 is CHF 25,900 / EUR 26, 900 / USD 27,300 / GBP 22,600.

For more information please visit Hublot Online.