On October 16, 2024, Hublot unveiled the final masterpiece in its innovative series of timepieces created in collaboration with renowned Japanese artist Takashi Murakami. The Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Black Ceramic Rainbow will take center stage at the “TOKI: Watch Auction,” organized by Phillips on November 22. This unique timepiece marks the 13th and concluding entry in the ground-breaking collection, which pairs exclusive watches with NFT art pieces. This limited-edition watch, known as Lot 100, is set to be a highlight at the auction, which is solely dedicated to Japanese watchmaking.
A Unique Fusion of Contemporary Art and Watchmaking
This model stays true to the multimedia and boundary-pushing vision of Murakami while embracing Hublot’s spirit of innovation. The collaboration began in 2022 with a collection of 324 one-of-a-kind NFTs created by Murakami, inspired by retro video game graphics and 1970s televisions. From there, the series evolved into a limited collection of 12 Classic Fusion pieces, each with a dedicated piece of digital art. The finale to this journey, the Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Black Ceramic Rainbow, showcases Hublot’s mastery of both technical watchmaking and modern art.
The watch’s design draws inspiration from Murakami’s signature “smiling flower” motif, which is adorned with an array of precious stones. The 45mm case is crafted from polished and satin-finished black ceramic, offering a modern and durable framework for Murakami’s colorful vision. The signature petals of the smiling flower rotate freely thanks to a unique ball-bearing system, driven by Hublot’s in-house Unico automatic movement. This kinetic element, combined with the sapphire crystal set with gemstones, gives the piece a captivating 3D effect.
A Vibrant Play of Colors
The standout feature of this one-of-a-kind timepiece is the array of vibrant gemstones set into the petals. The 13th piece in the series combines the original black ceramic case from the initial collaboration with rainbow-colored petals inspired by the earlier Sapphire Rainbow edition. Each of the 12 petals is meticulously adorned with 384 gemstones, including rubies, sapphires, amethysts, tsavorites, and topazes, creating a perfect gradient of colors.
A Meaningful Auction for a Noble Cause
Beyond its artistic and horological significance, this collaboration supports a greater mission. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to Fond’Action, a Swiss nonprofit foundation established in 1999. Fond’Action funds innovative oncology research projects, aiming to provide clinical solutions for cancer patients both in Switzerland and globally.
The Global Auction Tour
In preparation for the “TOKI: Watch Auction,” the Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Black Ceramic Rainbow will be showcased on a global tour. The tour begins in Singapore (October 17-20), continues to Taipei (November 2-3), moves on to Geneva (November 6-10), and concludes in Hong Kong (November 16). The final auction will take place in Tokyo on November 22, providing collectors around the world with an opportunity to witness this remarkable timepiece up close.
Technical Specifications
- Model: Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Black Ceramic Rainbow
- Reference: 507.CX.9099.RX.TAK23
- Case: Polished and satin-finished black ceramic, 45mm diameter, 13.45mm thickness, water-resistant to 5 ATM
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal with 3D smiling flower centerpiece set with 103 colorful gemstones
- Dial: Micro-blasted and rhodium-plated, featuring 12 rotating petals set with 384 colorful gemstones
- Movement: In-house automatic Unico movement, 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), 72-hour power reserve, 256 components, 30 rubies
- Strap: Lined black rubber with black-plated stainless steel deployant clasp
For more details, visit Hublot.com.
