Hublot’s MP 09 Bi-Axis Tourbillon showpiece is so named because it is part of the brand’s “Manufacture Piece” collection, made entirely by Hublot to demonstrate its “watchmaking savoir-faire.” Demonstration is the point of this case design. The dance of the bi-axial tourbillon, with one rotation of 60 seconds and another one of 30 seconds, is on display in a case that functions like a miniature curio-cabinet. A daringly angled, three-sided sapphire crystal, as steep as a ski slope, affords views of the movement from three different angles. The movement, automatic caliber HUB9009.H1.RA, has a five-day power reserve, which is displayed prominently on the dial over a red banner. The date indicator is arranged in a tiered half-circle index on two levels, surrounding the hour and minutes dial. The movement is coated in a gray anthracite color – like a Ferrari engine – and the strap is black rubber. This is not a small watch (it is 49 mm wide and 17.9 mm thick), and it does not have a small price tag: $169,000 in titanium (50 pieces) and $211,000 in king gold (20 pieces).
In addition, Hublot is celebrating Ferrari’s 70th anniversary with a new watch that was designed in close collaboration with the Italian car maker’s design team. The case was designed at Ferrari’s workshop in Maranello, Italy, using the same creative processes used to develop a new sports car. The Techframe Ferrari Tourbillon Chronograph is the first product designed by Ferrari that is not a car. Like the body of one of Ferrari’s racing cars, the case is all about aerodynamics, stripped to the bare bones, with negative space: essentially, it is skeletonized. The crown is positioned at 4 o’clock, which creates the illusion that the case is moving at high speed. The large, lever-style pusher at 9 o’clock adds to the aerodynamic aesthetic. The strap is interchangeable in a fun way: it unbuckles like the releasing of a seat belt when the red buttons at each side of the lugs are pressed. The lever pusher and lug release buttons are red – P485 Ferrari red, of course. It contains the manual-wound caliber HUB6311, a monopusher chronograph with a flying tourbillon escapement – although technically it only looks like a flying tourbillon.
The upper bridge is made of transparent sapphire crystal, so it allows a view of the escapement that you would see in a flyback, but maintains the stability of a conventional bridged tourbillon. The movement is treated with a sporty ruthenium anthracite coating. A twin half-seconds counter at the 3 o’clock position is arranged on a half-circle subdial at the 3 o’clock position. The 30-minute totalizer is unconventionally positioned at 11 o’clock and the column wheel can be seen prominently at 1 o’clock. It is priced at $127,000 for the titanium version and $158,000 for the king gold version. A version made of PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone), a type of carbon fiber, is priced at $137,000. Each will be made in a 70-piece numbered limited edition.
Scroll down to see more pictures of the new Hublot Tourbillons, including live pictures from Baselworld 2017:
superbly made