Hublot Adds to MP Collection with Pieces Featuring Five Day Power Reserve

Hublot’s new MPs are unlike any other manufacture pieces. Their famous gemstone pattern has been reproduced using colored composites inserted into the mass of a 3D carbon case–a world first.

Photo Credit: Hublot

The inception of the concept for the new MP pieces was simple enough: to reproduce the effect of colored gemstones but use carbon and composites as opposed to gemstones. The execution of this idea is not so simple. This exceptionally complex achievement reproduces the natural variations usually achieved by the natural variation of diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds on the surface of the case.

Hublot was able to overcome considerable manufacturing challenges thanks to its watchmaking expertise, industrial machinery and research ingenuity.

Photo Credit: Hublot

The case of the new MPs are actually braided. Thin bars of carbon are laid flat, a few millimeters apart. Afterwards, bars of colored composite are placed vertically into the gaps and protrude slightly fro the carbon. This height difference is then filled with a third carbon mesh that raises all components to the same level. Both carbon and composites are threaded into the mass across all three dimensions: length, width, and height.

To achieve this result, hundreds of colored inserts had to be created. As the eye spontaneously combines them to recreate a harmonious and natural gradation, the effect is almost an optical illusion. In reality, Hublot had to develop a complete prism of infinite shades to reproduce the brilliance of gemstones – a first in watchmaking.

Photo Credit: Hublot

The color of each insert darkens slightly as it set within the carbon case. This had to be kept in mind while creating them, as the final result would be slightly different once the inserts were in place. Another challenge was to position each composite in the right place so that the incredible amount of work would disappear and become seamless to the naked eye. The new MP-09’s surface is entirely smooth and polished to the touch. Each insert is imperceptibly cropped with carbon, and polished and adjusted to the nearest micron. Never before has a watch boasted as many shades of colored composite as the new MP-09.

Photo Credit: Hublot

As for the movement, this new MP-09 keeps the exceptional caliber that has been its beating heart since its inception: the HUB9009.H1.RA.B movement with manual winding and a 5-day power reserve. It comes with a bi-axial tourbillon with one complete rotation per minute for the first axis and a second rotation every 30 seconds for the second axis. This hypnotic unique double rotation has guided the design of the case with curved sides, which displays the tourbillon at 6 o’clock.

The collection is limited to eight pieces per color and retails for $200,000.