The thirteenth and final timepiece in the groundbreaking collaboration between Hublot and contemporary artist Takashi Murakami is sure to captivate watch enthusiasts around the world. The Hublot Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Black Ceramic will be featured as lot 100 at Phillips’ TOKI watch auction in Hong Kong on November 22. This event is Phillips’ inaugural themed auction dedicated to Japanese watchmaking, celebrating the convergence of innovative watchmaking and contemporary Japanese art.
Renowned for his vibrant and multidisciplinary approach to art, Takashi Murakami has once again teamed up with Hublot to push the boundaries of watchmaking. Bridging the digital and physical realms, this final piece is derived from a collection of 324 unique NFTs inspired by low-resolution video games and televisions from the 1970s. These NFTs provided access to 12 exclusive editions of the Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami, each paired with a unique digital artwork available on Hublot’s website.
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The Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Black Ceramic is a remarkable fusion of cutting-edge watchmaking and Murakami’s signature artistry. It features the iconic Smiling Flower motif brought to life in three dimensions. The gem-set dial floats above the sapphire crystal, adding depth and visual intrigue to the design. Twelve petals set with 384 gemstones form a rotating disc that rotates with the movement of the wrist, thanks to an ingenious ball-bearing system developed by Hublot’s engineers.
Previously, each of the 12 unique pieces featured a single color and gemstone type on the spinning petals. This final piece combines them all, creating a perfect color gradient with rubies, sapphires, amethysts, tsavorites and topazes. Housed in a 45mm black ceramic case, the timepiece is powered by Hublot’s UNICO self-winding movement and offers a 72-hour power reserve.
The auction also includes an NFT artwork linked to the watch and offers the winning bidder an exclusive tour of Takashi Murakami’s studio in Japan. This unique experience provides a rare glimpse into the artist’s creative process and world.
All proceeds from the sale will be donated to Fond’Action, a Swiss non-profit foundation created in 1999 to finance innovative oncology research projects. Hublot’s commitment to supporting initiatives that make a positive difference reflects the philanthropic spirit behind this collaboration.
The Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Black Ceramic Rainbow will embark on a world tour in the run-up to the auction. It will be on display in Singapore from October 17 to 20, in Taipei on November 2 and 3, and in Geneva from November 6 to 10. The final preview will take place in Hong Kong from November 16, culminating in the live auction on November 22.
