Hublot and Daniel Arsham are going back to the future with their latest collaboration. The Swiss manufacture and the New York-based contemporary artist have fused the former’s technical finesse with the latter’s singular artistic vision to create the Hublot Arsham Pocket Watch.
Arsham is known for transforming quotidian objects into future relics — intentionally and artfully aged everyday items, that appear as if they were found on an archeological dig site. Approaching an obsolete object with a futuristic mindset, the Hublot Arsham Droplet is inspired by the organic, fluid forms found in nature. The age-old timepiece form is executed in forward-thinking materials, with a blend of titanium, rubber, and sapphire crystal coming together to form the asymmetrical silhouette.
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Titanium is used sparingly on the edge of the case, with sapphire crystal predominantly used to sculpt the silhouette of the pocket watch, which is shaped so as to resemble a droplet. A marked divergence from the dainty slimline pocket watches of yesteryear, the Arsham Droplet has an eminently tactile feeling, almost as if moulded to the shape of one’s palm. “The shape really comes from the shape of the hand, the feeling is very natural the way you grip it,” says Daniel Arsham of the design. “I like things that feel very technical but have this kind of organic feeling to it.”
The openworked (or skeletonised) timepiece showcases Hublot’s in-house Meca-10 movement, known for its impressive 10-day power reserve. A manually wound movement, it’s a fitting choice for the pocket watch and bridges the gap between past and present, with a digital indicator letting you check how much power is left. The movement is executed in shades of grey and green, which are echoed by the grey titanium case and green rubber bumper.
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While the timepiece has a monolithic feel, it utilises sandwich construction, with the movement placed between two domed teardrop-shaped sapphire crystals and sealed by the rubber side bumpers, which feature Arsham’s monograph stamped into the surface. The timepiece is presented with two titanium chains, allowing it to not only be worn as a pocket watch, but as a necklace — or even displayed as a sculptural centrepiece with the accompanying titanium and mineral glass table stand. Measuring in at 73.2mm (length) x 52.6mm (width) x 22.5mm (thickness), it’s certainly an imposing presence in the pocket (or on the neck).
The Hublot Arsham Droplet is limited to 99 examples and priced at $80,000CHF (approx. $135,000AUD).
Price: $132,000AUD
Model: Arsham Droplet 916.NX.5202.NK
Case size: 73.2mm (length) x 52.6mm (width) x 22.5mm (thickness)
Movement: HUB1201 Manufacture MECA-10 (manual winding)
Water resistance: 3ATM (both)
Functions: hours, minutes, power reserve indicator
Power reserve: 240 hours
Words by Theo Rosen
