Hublot

"What will Hublot bring this year to us?"...  This was the question posed by our Hublot Moderator KIH last week in anticipation of the new models Hublot will debut in 2013.  I read through Ken's post and enjoyed the summary of the Hublot 2012 collection that was shown at Basel.  Besides the Antikythera Mechanism, I couldn't help but notice that quite a few of these watches were variations of the Big Bang.  Personally, I don't mind having all these variations (a common complaint with the AP ROO which I'm a huge fan of) and I actually like having color options. 
Anyway, the post I made in December of the Hublot Big Bang Minute Repeater tourbillon made me think of possibilities of watches that Hublot could bring out this year.  Having the Hublot Confrerie Horlogerie (formerly BNB Concept) run by Mathias Buttet poses some really nice opportunities to showcase interesting movements and designs.  And when I think of having bold designs, I immediately think of a very unique watch that I handled before: the Hublot Masterpiece MP-02 Key of Time.  The MP-02 is made in a limited edition of 50 pieces and this is the prototype for the watch.






The MP-02 has an interesting shaped  case that  is micro-blasted titanium with black colored PVD.  It has a multi-layered matte black dial with satin finished black colored nickle plated hands.  Various areas have bright green luminescent applied.




Besides the hours, minutes and seconds functions, the key of time has a time speed indicator, power reserve indicator and vertical tourbillon (more on this below).

The crown on the right hand side is the normal time setting crown but also notice in the pics that there is a crown on the left side of the case.  This is used to speed up or slow down the time displayed on the watch.  It can set to run normally or 4 times as fast (one hour is indicated by fours passing on the watch, or four times slower (an hour is indicated by 15 mins).  A red tube (that changes from the regular green) display indicate the speed the hands are set to showing it's 4 x faster or slower.  The tourbillon itself continues to run at 1 revolution per minute.  It's good to know that the watch still remembers the real time so when the crown is turned back to normal time, the hands will display the correct time.




To be honest, I don't remember and I'm not sure what this function does.  I'll have to find out the primary purpose of the 4x speed.

The movement behind the MP-02 is the manual wind HUB9002.  The movement diameter is 40.20mm with a height of 9.5mm.  It has 74 rubies and made of 512 components with a 120 hours power reserve.  Parts of the movement is coated in blackened nickle, and anoticeable complication is the vertical tourbillon cage.  The pics I took were the prototype model number 00 of 50.  The finishing on the movement was clean, but for some reason when I took this picture it has brownish tint.  I think it was the lighting in the room.





The MP-02 has an i ntegrated Rubber strap that reminds me of Richard Mille watches where it is extremely comfortable and pliable and forms around a small wrist.




Notice that the bezel around the vertical tourbillon has the Hublot H shaped screws.  I like these little details.

And a few closeups of the tourbillon. 

And finally a video I made showing the Masterpiece MP-02. 




So what do you think of this case design?  Are there elements from this watch that you would like to see make it into production?

Regards,
ED-209

.. and he has been wearing its RM027 which is extremely light and durable for the shock during his games, and wins!

Ken

hi Ken! Thanks for the accurate and correct info about Nadal's watch. Got wrong info from friends haha. Great site indeed very informative and supportive people around to help and educate. Good job Ken!

.. welcome to PuristSPro, and Hublot forum!
Hope you have great time and enjoy here, and looking forward to your posts as well!

Best,
Ken

.. but never made it here.
Thank you, Ed, for your hands-on report.  It is a very interesting concept (maybe we won't understand until we actually wear it on daily basis) and would like to experience the slow time or fast time to see how I would feel about how I spend the day.....  Sure, I like the accurate watches, but this one, for a change, might give us the different perspective of time

Again, thank you for the report.  Very informative!

And cool beginning title of the video - how do you do it???

Ken

First of all, we have to remember that the key of time was found on the shelves when Hublot adquired BNB.

This watch is a re-design of the watch which was previously presented by La Confrérie Horlogère:



Aesthetically speaking, the Hublot version is a great improvement.

But to be frank with you, I don't understand the point of this watch.

To accelerate or slow down the flow of time... first of all, the  other person has also a watch and this change of pace needs time to become "visible". The complication is not fun at at least the Temps Suspendu by Hermes is much more enjoyable because it is instantaneous.

A watch which is not really beautiful, not enjoyable, not fun.

Thanks for your presentation.

Fx

Thanks fx for the pic of the original version.  I like the Hublot redesigned version.  Even the white version that Andrew posted looks cool too.

Regards,
ED-209

But the watch is already in production and has been delivered.  To me the case shape is interesting but the complication of speed up or slowing down the time is not very exciting (unless it is a super power and you can actually do it!).

Cheers

No message body

.. thanks for the pic!  Very nice, Andrew!

Ken

Hi Andrew,
I've never seen the white colored version.  That is really cool and I think your white colored version is better looking than the black colored prototype.   I agree with you on the complication, I don't understand it and why it's needed.  What do you think about an orange colored version?

Regards,
ED-209

It is not mine but a unique piece made for the Marcus store in London. 

To be honest, I explored having an orange version made and had some drawings done but to be honest it is not my favourite Hublot and I did not get over excited about the complication (also it comes at a very HIGH price).   I think there is better watches around in their collection such as the minute repeaters before I jumped for this one.  I also think this watch will age very quickly and in 10 years time will be sat at the bottom of a watchbox...!

From putting them both on my wrist though, I definitely preferred the white version.

Cheers
Andrew

And good to see that Hublot don't only specialise in Offshore rip offs!

the design reminds me of a Ladoire .......

Thanks Mo for the feedback.  Interesting that the design of the MP-02 reminds you of Ladoire.  It kinda looks like a Ladoire RGT rotated 90 degrees?

Regards,
ED-209