At LVMH Watch Week 2024, Hublot launched its newest unique high-luxury watch with the Hublot MP-10 Tourbillon Weight Vitality System. That is the newest in a protracted sequence of “Masterpiece” (“MP” stands) high-horology merchandise from the model, which began throughout Jean-Claude Biver’s possession. Hublot Masterpiece watches grew to become a playground for Hublot’s engineers to develop limited-production, high-complication timepieces to sit down as a jewel on prime of the high-end watchmaker’s crown. Right now’s Hublot MP watches are supposed to remind fanatics about Hublot’s in-house motion manufacturing capabilities, in addition to to personify the model’s modern-thinking and edgy design ethos. The Hublot Masterpiece watches are launched so as of when they’re accomplished versus in sequential order. Accordingly, the MP-10 really follows the discharge of the MP-15 Murakami. For the MP-10, Hublot determined to revisit time indication through shifting drums and likewise to experiment with a novel kind of computerized winding know-how.
Many individuals appear to counsel that the Hublot MP-10 is a thematic successor to the Hublot MP-05 LaFerrari, as they each point out time through shifting drums and due to the general idea of the case structure. I problem that, and don’t assume Hublot thought-about the LaFerrari with its 50 days of energy reserve and stacked mainspring barrel system when engaged on the MP-10 Tourbillon Weight Vitality System (which has simply two days of energy reserve). Reasonably, I posit that the Hublot MP-10 Tourbillon Weight Vitality System is the thematic successor to the 2014 TAG Heuer Monaco V4 Tourbillon. Recall, in fact, that TAG Heuer and Hublot are each underneath the umbrella of LVMH. The TAG Heuer Monaco V4 included a extra primitive model of the linear weight computerized winding system. Against this, the Hublot Weight Vitality System is a vastly refined mechanical interpretation of the identical idea.
The TAG Heuer Monaco V4 used a stable weight connected to a rail that turned a winding gear because it moved up and down. The issue was that the system incurred loads of shock due to the continually shifting weight, and due to the comparatively quick journey distance of the shifting weight. Extra normal rotational computerized winding techniques profit from the truth that their round motions imply there’s by no means a stopping level and that the burden can transfer in a circle without end. Weights that transfer alongside a monitor should cease in opposition to one thing that may incur put on and tear over time with repeated influence. Hublot finally patented the system inside the brand new Hublot caliber HUB9013 motion that’s answerable for how the winding weights (the “Weight Vitality System”) cease at every finish of the monitor/rail. Hublot additional developed two weights (not only one as within the Monaco V4) to extend effectivity (i.e., how a lot energy may be generated). With its system of shifting the winding weight round, plus the motion that includes two of them, Hublot claims that the MP-10 watch is extra environment friendly at vitality era whereas on the wrist than a conventional rotor-based computerized motion. I discovered that to be very attention-grabbing.
The Hublot HUB 9013 is a stunning motion on the middle of this creation. The attention-grabbing melding of the motion and case made the MP-10 really feel much more like an MB&F Horological Machine moderately than one other Hublot Massive Bang with a wild motion on the within. The motion is product of 592 elements (a substantial quantity) and has a tourbillon that’s inclined at a 35-degree angle pointed on the decrease a part of the case. This horizontally mounted tourbillon is one thing we’ve seen from Hublot earlier than, however the distinction right here is the 35-degree tilt, which signifies that the wearer can extra simply view the animation of the tourbillon with out having to show their wrist as a lot to the aspect. When paying this sum of cash, this consideration to beauty engineering (one other patent is utilized on the angled tourbillon) is a part of the worth you might be shopping for.
The HUB9013 motion operates at 3Hz with 48 hours of energy reserve. Time is indicated through a turning drum for the hours after which one beneath it for the minutes. That is among the many extra legible layouts I’ve seen utilizing this indication machine. Seconds are indicated through the spinning tourbillon. Beneath the hour and minute drums is an influence reserve indicator. The motion has two crowns, and the primary is the big crown on the highest of the case which is completely used for handbook winding functions. The second is a push-out crown on the again of the watch that’s used to regulate the time. The motion structure and operation are actually gorgeous.
All sides of the HUB9013 has a 22k white gold weight with matte black ornament. I imagine that they solely wind when shifting in a single course, as they transfer alongside a set of geared tooth which might be related to the mainspring barrel. Of main curiosity to me was how Hublot engineered the shock-absorbing part at every finish of the burden. What they did was have the gold weight fall onto a metallic “finger” which is hinged like a lever. When the finger part is depressed, the opposite finish of the lever pushes up in opposition to a metallic coil shock. It is a completely different orientation than having the burden make direct contact with the metallic spring. I’ve solely ever seen this orientation earlier than from shock absorbers on sure mountain bikes. When used, this sort of shock absorber orientation appears to permit for low journey, however excessive shock absorption as a result of a lot of the vitality goes into the lever earlier than it hits the coil. None of those elements are significantly appropriate for mass manufacturing (i.e., I don’t assume you’ll discover the Weight Vitality System as designed right here in lower-priced watches), however as an idea, Hublot could have developed the world’s best-performing different to the standard computerized winding system for mechanical watches.
On the wrist, the Hublot MP-10 Tourbillon Weight Vitality System watch seems to be higher than within the press pictures. The elegant rounded curves soften the space-age really feel of the general composition. The MP-10 as seen on this restricted version type has a matte-finished titanium case with a really sophisticated-to-shape sapphire crystal over the dial. The case is 41.5mm huge, 22.4mm thick, and has a 54.1mm lengthy lug-to-lug distance. It’s also waterproof to 30 meters and has a bespoke built-in black rubber strap that comfortably wraps across the wrist. This is among the most impressed and wearable Hublot Masterpiece watches shortly, and I’ve a sense that past this restricted version of fifty items in titanium, Hublot would possibly launch the MP-10 Tourbillon Weight Vitality System in different supplies. Value for the reference 910.NX.0001.RX Hublot MP-10 Tourbillon Weight Vitality System Titanium watch is 250,000 Swiss Francs. Be taught extra on the Hublot web site.
