Close Up: Hublot’s Masterpiece MP-05 LaFerrari

Close Up: Hublot’s Masterpiece MP-05 LaFerrari

Adrienne Faurote
By Adrienne Faurote May 1, 2013

When luxury watchmaker Hublot kicked off BaselWorld last week with the unveiling of seven new creations, we were a little overwhelmed. From their collaboration with Monster to the Classic Fusion Skeleton Haute Joaillerie and the breathtaking “Antikythera SunMoon” watch, the manufacture went above and beyond. Now that we’ve wrapped our heads around all these incredible pieces, we want to take a closer look at one of our new favorites: the limited-edition Masterpiece MP-05 LaFerrari.

This timepiece is part of a special series created in a collaboration between the Hublot Manufacture engineers and the Ferrari team. Right off the bat, this is a record-breaking timepiece; it boasts a record 50-day power reserve and holds the record for the most watchmaking components created to date by Hublot (637). Some other noteworthy features include its tourbillon and its 11 barrels, which are arranged in an interconnected line like a spinal column which allows them to support each other without causing discharge. The Masterpiece MP-05 LaFerrari, made from black PVD titanium, features a complex shaped sapphire crystal designed to evoke the LaFerrari’s outline and an open case-back. It is topped by a titanium and carbon insert in its centre, revealing the winding crown. The time-setting crown is positioned under the case. These features are cleverly integrated into the design, and therefore practically invisible.

The movement of the Masterpiece is a testament to its name. On the front vertical face the small seconds are indicated by an aluminium cylinder fastened onto the suspended Tourbillon cage, while the hour and minutes are displayed to the right of the barrels, each one indicated by an anodised black aluminium cylinder. On their left a cylinder indicates the power reserve. On each cylinder the size of the numerals has been maximised with white SuperLuminovaTM to enhance readability. To each side reinforcing bars made from anodised red aluminium represent the colors of the famous Prancing Horse.

The Masterpiece MP-05 LaFerrari is completed by a rubber strap with a special folding buckle in black PVD titanium. An accompanying case made from schedoni leather and carbon fibre contains the specific tools for winding the watch. Only 50 numbered pieces of this timepiece will be created.

The Masterpiece MP-05 LaFerrari is reference 905.ND.0001.RX. Photos courtesy Hublot.