Takashi Murakami’s bold, colourful works have become entrenched in popular culture, his unique style and the disruptive nature of his art winning over high-profile fans such as Drake and Kanye West. Much of the secret to his success is in the skillful blending of seemingly opposing influences, where Japanese culture meets Western influences and the oft-rarified world of fine art is merged with the commercial. 

Hublot itself is in the business of the “art of fusion”, its guiding ethos that sees it combine a respect for watchmaking tradition with cutting-edge innovations and materials. This makes it a natural partner for Murakami, with the two coming together for the second time to produce a watch, limited to 100 pieces, that is truly a work of art on the wrist. 

The Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Sapphire Rainbow once again revisits the artist’s signature smiling flower motif, but while the previous collaboration was a sleek all-black model, here it is rendered in a striking multi-hued display. Speaking to the playful and vibrant nature of the artwork, the three-dimensional dial is made up of 12 petals with an eye-catching polychromatic effect achieved by setting 487 stones in rainbow shades made up of rubies, pink sapphires, amethysts, blue sapphires, tsavorites and yellow and orange sapphires. Further bringing it to life is a ball-bearing system specially designed by Hublot that allows the petals to turn under the watch crystal in a whirlwind of colour. 

Beyond being a technical feat in itself, the case made from transparent sapphire crystal adds to the contemporary look of the watch and allows for full appreciation of both the incredible gem-setting to the exterior and the accomplished timekeeping within. 

hublot.com