‘For a piece to be part of our MP [Manufacture Piece] collection, it must not only reinvent existing complications; it must create something exclusive, invent, build, and open up new avenues in watchmaking R&D. I gave our designers and watchmakers carte blanche, and this is the fruit of their labours. From now on, people will talk about the MP-10 Tourbillon Weight Energy System in Titanium in terms of “before” and “after”.’ 

So says Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot, whose innovative new Manufacture Piece is characterised by a sleek yet multifaceted design. Indeed, after five years of development, the MP-10 Tourbillon Weight Energy System is a noticeably complex watch. Limited to 50 pieces, it features 592 components including two linear weights, an inclined tourbillon, and a circular power reserve. 

In keeping with Hublot’s disruptive approach to horology, this timepiece lacks a dial in the ordinary sense. Instead, the calibre itself serves as one. Since the movement represents the heart and essence of the watch, it makes sense that it is on full display. 

The MP-10 also does away with traditional indications. In the place of hands, there are four perpetually rotating displays, with all the indications featuring white lacquer typography on black aluminium rollers and fluid reading granted by red triangular markers. 

The pair of displays at the top of the movement indicate hours and minutes, respectively, and these are rendered highly legible by an invisible magnifying glass. The power reserve is expressed by a disc in red and green tones. Finally, the seconds markers are suspended on the tourbillon cage on an inclined display made from monobloc aluminium. 

While all such elements contribute to an intriguing sense of depth, so does the movement encased by inclined planes of sapphire crystal on three axes, and by a shimmering caseback in micro-blasted titanium.   

Indeed, much like other watches in Hublot’s MP collection, style and function are inextricably bound together. To accommodate the shape of the watch, Hublot’s engineers had to make a pioneering move in automatic winding, verticalising and then duplicating the oscillating weight mechanics of a traditional movement. 

Now, two blocks of white gold are situated on either side of the movement’s main body, on a vertical axis along which they can move. Providing a power reserve of more than 48 hours, they engage a rack, and wind the movement bidirectionally – a development for which there is a patent pending. And the watch can be wound manually via the crown at 12 o’clock, while the time can be altered using another crown set into the caseback. 

Hublot MP-10 Tourbillon Weight Energy System; hublot.com