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Hublot and Daniel Arsham present a wearable sculpture of fictional archaeology

Fluid time: Deconstructing the Hublot MP-17 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire

The MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire.
Hublot

Wearable art has taken captivating form as Hublot has once again proven its mastery of the craft with the gorgeous MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire. This landmark timepiece, born from the brand’s profound collaboration with prolific American artist Daniel Arsham, marks his first foray into wristwatch design and stands as a radical departure from the conventional. Arsham, celebrated for his ‘fictional archaeology’ that presents eroded contemporary objects as relics from a distant future, has applied his visionary aesthetic to Hublot’s formidable Meca-10 platform. The end result is not merely a watch, but a kinetic sculpture that captures the fluid, unstoppable movement of time itself, freezing a moment of liquid dynamism in a stunningly sophisticated form. This limited edition is a testament to a shared philosophy of continually pushing the boundaries of innovation to produce material transformation.

A Radical Reinterpretation of Form and Function

The 42mm case, meticulously crafted from micro-blasted titanium, exhibits a mesmerizing texture achieved through an innovative glass bead blasting technique, creating the illusion of water condensing on its surface. This architectural marvel  stands at 15.35mm tall, and is crowned by a laser-textured sapphire crystal bezel that further enhances its liquid, almost ethereal appearance.

Sophistication, technical mastery, and artistic vision that is unparalleled

Beneath this sculptural exterior beats the sophisticated heart of the manual-winding HUB1205 manufacture movement, a masterpiece of engineering that boasts an impressive 240-hour power reserve. The rhodium-plated dial, with its shiny microblasted finish, provides an engaging backdrop for the complex mechanics housed within, while the charmille-grained black rubber strap ensures the piece remains tethered to the realm of wearable, high-performance luxury.

A definitive stamp on the art of modern watchmaking

Serving a presence that is stylish, substantial, and undeniably mesmerizing, the MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash is a horological statement of unparalleled depth beyond compare. It transcends the conventional to become a portable gallery piece, a conversation starter that challenges perceptions of form, function, and the very nature of materiality. This timepiece is for the collector in search of an artifact with a compelling narrative — one of erosion, flow, and a future where art and engineering are seamlessly merged. It stands as a bold reminder that true luxury lies in the freedom to reimagine the possible.

Triston Brewer
Triston Brewer is a journalist, creative director, stylist, fashionisto, and jetsetting digital bon vivant. Brace yourself!
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