Daniel Arsham’s second collaboration with Hublot makes waves with its sculptural take on time.
Time ripples, shatters, and reforms in Hublot’s latest artistic encounter with American multidisciplinary artist Daniel Arsham. Where their previous creation – the transformable MP-16 Arsham Droplet – reimagined the pocket watch as a futuristic artefact, the new MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire captures the very instant of a splash suspended in motion. It transforms water’s ephemeral fluidity into solid form, transparency into architecture, and mechanical precision into sculptural poetry.
The global unveiling took place in Singapore on 9 October at the historic Raffles Hotel, where members of the international press gathered that morning to witness the debut of this limited-edition creation. However, the embargo was only lifted at 9:30 p.m. that evening. The MP-17 marks Arsham’s first wristwatch design for Hublot, a piece that feels less like an instrument of time and more like a wearable sculpture. Inspired by the geometry of a droplet, its 42mm titanium case flows in organic curves, framed by a frosted sapphire-crystal bezel that appears to hover – as if time itself had been caught mid-splash.
Capturing the fleeting instant of water in motion, the MP-17 blends sculptural expression with mechanical precision. Its frosted sapphire bezel lends the piece ethereal transparency and depth, amplifying the sense of fluidity that defines its silhouette. Arsham recalls that the use of frosted sapphire was a serendipitous discovery – he had been captivated by the unpolished underside of a sapphire sample sent to him, and the idea of preserving that raw, untouched texture became the spark for the design.
Through the splash-shaped opening on the dial, the in-house HUB1205 Meca-10 manual-winding movement is revealed, complete with an impressive 10-day power reserve. Visible from both the dial side and sapphire caseback, the calibre showcases Hublot’s technical refinement – each component finished in grey PVD and arranged in an asymmetrical, architectural layout.
Signature details appear throughout: six H-shaped screws anchor the bezel, while Arsham’s signature green accents, rendered in Super-LumiNova, highlight the hands, numerals, power-reserve display, and small-seconds counter. The watch is fitted with a Charmille-grained black rubber strap embossed with the Arsham monogram – two overlapping uppercase “A”s forming a distinctive emblem.
Titanium features prominently across the case, caseback, bezel, and clasp. Despite its sculptural presence, it wears comfortably and feels surprisingly compact on the wrist.
Hublot CEO Julien Tornare described the MP-17 as “a testament to the Art of Fusion, seamlessly blending fine watchmaking and art to create a timepiece that invites us to see time in a new light.” Arsham echoed the sentiment, calling it “a study of fluidity – suspended, precise, and always in motion.”
Limited to just 99 pieces, the Hublot MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire perfectly encapsulates the essence of the partnership: innovation through collaboration, design through dialogue, and time reimagined as living art. When we asked if something else was already in the works, Arsham smiled and said, “We’re not done yet.”
Neither are we – so stay tuned to CROWN for what will come next
Technical Specifications:
Diameter: 42mm
Case & caseback: Shiny microblasted titanium
Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
Bezel: Polished and laser-textured sapphire crystal
Screws: H-shaped titanium
Dial: Rhodium-plated and shiny microblasted with ‘Arsham green’ Super-LumiNova
Movement: HUB1205 Manufacture manual winding skeleton movement in grey PVD
Power reserve: 10 days
Bracelet: Charmille-grained black rubber with Arsham monogram
Limited edition: 99 pieces worldwide
