Following the launch of the futuristic pocket watch Arsham Droplet, Hublot now presents another creation born from its long-standing collaboration with American artist Daniel Arsham. The Hublot MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire expresses an organic play of form inspired, like the Arsham Droplet, by the movement of flowing water – capturing the fluidity of time in a stylistic manner. At the same time, it embodies the philosophies of both partners in this collaboration.
Since 1980, Hublot has been known for its ‘Art of Fusion’, beginning with the combination of a gold case and a rubber strap, and later culminating in the iconic Big Bang. Arsham, meanwhile, explores the bridges between past, present, and future in his work. His vision of a ‘fictional archaeology’, in which everyday objects are transformed into ‘future relics’, finds expression here in a functional piece of jewellery and wearable artwork. Let’s take a closer look at the Hublot MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire.
The 42 mm case of the MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire is crafted from micro-blasted and polished titanium, with a height of 15.35 mm. Glass bead blasting lends the housing a unique appearance, making it look as if water is condensing on it. For a hand-wound manufacture movement, the proportions are relatively compact, though the watch may still appear substantial on slimmer wrists. As is characteristic of Hublot, six H-shaped titanium screws adorn the satin-finished, box-shaped bezel and the anti-reflective sapphire crystal caseback.
The visible case contour, with its organically flowing lines, follows Arsham’s artistic concept that imitates the movement of water. A fixed screw-down crown at 3 o’clock completes the overall look. With a water resistance of 50 metres, the watch is not designed for diving but offers sufficient protection for everyday wear. Overall, the case design exemplifies the balance between artistic expression and technical execution that Hublot and Arsham have achieved in this model.
A teardrop-shaped aperture in the case reveals the skeletonised dial of the MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire. It is rhodium-plated, micro-blasted, and treated with Super-LumiNova in a subtle Arsham Green. This green tone is found on the hour and minute hands, Arabic numerals, and the hour and five-minute markers. A small seconds sub-dial sits at 9 o’clock, while a power reserve indicator in PVD grey is positioned at 3 o’clock.
The rhodium-plated surface creates a delicate reflection, while the micro-blasting adds a soft, matte depth. The organic aperture serves not only as a design feature but also as a visual manifestation of Arsham’s concept of an object collapsing through time. Despite the limited dial area, legibility remains high, and the interplay between opaque and transparent sections creates a sense of lightness, placing the movement at the centre of attention.
At the heart of the MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire beats the skeletonised in-house calibre HUB1205, operating at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz). The Meca-10 movement offers an impressive power reserve of 240 hours (10 days), easily monitored via the power reserve display. The architecture of the movement is open and highly visual: bridges and wheels are exposed, while the PVD-grey pusher for the power reserve accentuates the otherwise silvery finish. The sapphire crystal caseback allows a clear view of the mechanism from below.
The strap is made from black rubber with a Charmille-grain texture, enhanced by the printed Arsham monogram. The fine grain ensures a secure grip on the wrist and prevents excessive slippage. The H-shaped titanium folding clasp mirrors the design of the H-shaped screws on the case, creating a visual link between the watch’s exterior and its mechanics.
The Hublot MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire is available exclusively at Hublot boutiques and authorised retailers, priced at 69,000 euros. Limited to just 99 pieces, the watch will appeal both to collectors and to admirers of contemporary art.
Hublot
MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire
917.NX.6909.RX
Shiny, glass bead-blasted titanium with matt, box-shaped sapphire crystal bezel
Diameter: 42 mm, Height: 15.35 mm
50 M (5 bar)
Skeletonised
Black rubber with Charmille grain and Arsham monogram, titanium folding clasp
HUB1205
Hand-wound
240 hours
21.600 A/h (3 Hz)
Hours, minutes, small seconds, power reserve indicator
EUR 69,000
