The intersection of contemporary art and high watchmaking often produces objects that challenge conventional definitions. The latest collaboration between Hublot and American artist Daniel Arsham, the MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire, is a prime example of this synthesis. Following their previous creation, the MP-16 Arsham Droplet, this new timepiece furthers the exploration of fluidity, transparency, and the artist's signature concept of "fictional archaeology," resulting in a wristwatch that functions as a wearable sculpture. It represents a deliberate and thoughtful continuation of a partnership grounded in a shared ambition to manipulate form and material in unexpected ways.
Hublot has built its modern identity on a principle it calls the "Art of Fusion." Since its founding in 1980, when it controversially paired a gold case with a rubber strap, the brand has consistently sought to combine disparate and often unconventional materials. This philosophy reached a fever pitch with the introduction of the Big Bang in 2005, a model that cemented Hublot's reputation for audacious design through its layered case construction and fusion of elements like ceramic, carbon fiber, and titanium. This history of material innovation and creative disruption provides the ideal foundation for a collaboration with an artist whose work is centered on reimagining the material nature of everyday objects.
Courtesy of Hublot
Daniel Arsham’s artistic practice is a deep dive into the perception of time. Based in New York, his work spans sculpture, architecture, and performance, frequently exploring what he terms "fictional archaeology." He takes contemporary objects—from cameras and cassette players to cars—and recasts them as artifacts from a distant future, eroded and crystallized as if they have been unearthed after millennia. This process collapses the timeline, making the viewer question whether an object belongs to the past or the future. His unique vision has led to collaborations with major brands and institutions, establishing him as one of the most influential artists of his generation.
This specific timepiece is a direct evolution from the duo’s previous work, the MP-16 Droplet. Where the Droplet captured the perfect, singular form of a falling drop of water, the MP-17 Splash captures the moment of impact. It is a design that is dynamic and energetic, translating the chaotic beauty of a splash into a solid, wearable form. The entire concept is centered on the fluidity of time, a theme Arsham eloquently describes: "This collaboration with Hublot explores the fluidity of time through a case inspired by the perfect geometry of a water droplet... The watch’s transparent structure captures the clarity and motion of water, suspended, precise, and always in flux."
The case of the MP-17, measuring a compact 42mm, is crafted from shiny microblasted titanium. This choice of material provides a lightweight and durable chassis for the complex architecture it houses. The overall shape eschews traditional round or square forms in favor of an organic, flowing silhouette. The lines are soft and curved, evoking the natural contours formed by moving liquid. Upon closer inspection, however, the quintessential Hublot DNA is present. The distinctive lugs at 3 and 9 o'clock are integrated into the fluid design, and the caseback is secured with the brand's signature H-shaped screws, grounding the avant-garde shape in a recognizable brand language.
Perhaps the most visually arresting feature of the watch is its bezel. Crafted from a single block of polished and laser-textured sapphire crystal, it has a frosted, almost ethereal appearance. The texture is not uniform; it undulates and appears almost eroded, perfectly capturing the aesthetic of Arsham’s crystalline artifacts. This box-shaped sapphire component rises above the titanium case, creating a transparent frame that allows light to flood the dial from multiple angles. Securing this complex crystal are six more H-screws, a testament to Hublot’s technical mastery in working with one of watchmaking's most challenging materials.
Courtesy of Hublot
The dial itself is defined by a large, splash-shaped opening that reveals the intricate mechanics beneath. This is not a simple skeletonization but a carefully sculpted aperture that serves as the centerpiece of the watch's artistic narrative. The organic and asymmetrical cutout flows across the watch face, framing the key components of the movement. The surrounding dial elements are rhodium-plated and feature a shiny microblasted finish, providing a subtle, metallic contrast to the transparent and textural elements of the case and bezel.
A key visual signature of the collaboration is the use of "Arsham green." This specific pale, minty hue is applied as Super-LumiNova to the hour and minute hands, the numerals, and the hour and five-minute markers. The vibrant color provides a sharp, futuristic contrast against the monochromatic tones of the titanium and sapphire. This thoughtful application ensures legibility in low-light conditions while reinforcing the artistic identity of the piece, linking it directly to Arsham’s broader body of work.
The dial layout is both functional and aesthetically balanced within its unconventional frame. At 9 o’clock, a small seconds hand, also coated in Arsham green, provides a constant sense of motion. Directly opposite at 3 o’clock is a highly distinctive power reserve indicator. Rather than a traditional hand on a sub-dial, it is a digital-style display that shows the remaining days of autonomy, a feature that speaks to the advanced mechanics driving the watch.
At the core of the MP-17 is the new, in-house HUB1201 Manufacture movement. This manual-winding caliber was specifically engineered to be smaller, a key innovation that allowed for the creation of the watch's compact 42mm case. Despite its reduced size, the movement boasts an incredible power reserve of 240 hours, or a full 10 days. This impressive autonomy is achieved through the use of two mainspring barrels, visible through the open-worked dial and the expansive sapphire caseback.
Courtesy of Hublot
The power reserve indicator is a mechanical marvel in its own right. It operates using a "crémaillère" rack system, a mechanism rarely seen in watchmaking. This system employs a linear gear that engages with a circular gear, moving in a straight line to drive the display. The mechanism is composed of two superimposed disks that rotate in opposite directions, connected by a central spiral spring. This complex differential system results in an intuitive yet mechanically fascinating way to track the movement’s energy level.
Flipping the watch over reveals a panoramic view of the HUB1201 movement through the sapphire crystal caseback. The architecture of the movement is modern and industrial, with stark, microblasted bridges that complement the exterior design. The intricate dance of the gear train and the 29 jewels are on full display, offering an unobstructed look into the heart of the timepiece. The caseback is engraved with "HUBLOT ARSHAM SPLASH" and "LIMITED EDITION," along with the unique number for each of the 99 pieces.
Hublot’s expertise in developing and machining synthetic sapphire is central to the watch's identity. The brand has invested heavily in the research required to create this material, which is nearly as hard as diamond and exceptionally difficult to work with. The goal has always been to achieve a perfect fusion between movement and case, creating a transparent vessel that is robust enough to protect the intricate mechanics within. In the MP-17, the use of sapphire for the bezel transforms the watch into a piece of kinetic art.
The choice of titanium for the main case body is equally deliberate. Its high strength-to-weight ratio ensures that the watch, despite its complex construction and sapphire components, remains comfortable and wearable. The microblasted finish gives it a muted, technical sheen that serves as a perfect backdrop for the polished and textured sapphire, allowing the artistic elements to take center stage without being overpowered.
Courtesy of Hublot
The integration of the watch extends to its strap, which is made of black rubber decorated with a repeating Arsham monogram pattern. This subtle branding adds another layer of artistic detail and texture to the overall design. The strap is secured with a titanium deployant buckle clasp, which is itself shaped like the Hublot "H," ensuring a seamless and secure fit on the wrist.
With a water resistance of 50 meters, the MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash is built for practical, everyday wear. It is not designed for deep-sea exploration, but it is more than capable of handling the rigors of daily life, including exposure to the elements that inspired its very form. The combination of its manageable size and lightweight materials makes it a piece of high art that does not demand to be kept in a safe.
This timepiece is a successful fusion of two distinct creative worlds. It embodies Hublot’s "Art of Fusion" by blending advanced materials like titanium and sapphire with a complex, high-performance mechanical movement. Simultaneously, it serves as a canvas for Daniel Arsham’s unique vision, capturing his fascination with time, fluidity, and the material transformation of objects. It invites the owner to not just read the time, but to contemplate its very nature.
As Julien Tornare, CEO of Hublot, states, "Working with Daniel Arsham is a discovery of new design and perception... This watch invites us to see time in a new light, through Arsham's unique and fluid vision." The result is a piece that pushes boundaries and challenges expectations of what a luxury sports watch can be, placing it firmly in the category of horological art.
Courtesy of Hublot
The design manages to be both a radical departure and a familiar friend. While its organic form is new, the core elements that define a Hublot watch are all present, from the visible screws to the material choices. It is a testament to the strength of the brand's design language that it can be so thoroughly reinterpreted without losing its identity.
The Hublot MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire is a strictly limited edition, with only 99 examples being produced for worldwide distribution. This exclusivity aligns with its status as a piece of collectible design, a collaboration between a leading watch manufacturer and a world-renowned contemporary artist. The watch is priced at $69,000 USD and is available through Hublot's network of boutiques and authorized retailers, offering a select few the opportunity to own a piece where time itself is captured in a splash of sapphire and titanium.
Case: 42 mm shiny microblasted titanium case with a polished and laser textured sapphire crystal bezel. Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment. Water resistance of 50 meters (5 ATM).
Movement: HUB1201 manufacture manual-winding skeleton power reserve movement. 240-hour power reserve delivered by two mainspring barrels. Features a unique "crémaillère" rack system for the power reserve indicator.
Dial: Rhodium plated and shiny microblasted with a splash-shaped opening. Features Green Arsham Superluminova on hands and markers.
Strap: Black rubber strap decorated with the Arsham Monogram. Fastens with a titanium deployant buckle clasp.
Price: USD 69,000
Reference Number: 917.NJ.6909.RX
Notes: A limited edition of 99 pieces created in collaboration with contemporary artist Daniel Arsham. The watch is defined by its organic, fluid design inspired by water and Arsham's "fictional archaeology" aesthetic.