Hublot unveils collaboration with artist Takashi Murakami

By Kim Parker

Following on from the success of Hublot’s first watch designed with Takashi Murakami earlier this year. The Swiss brand has released a second timepiece created in collaboration with the Japanese artist.

In contrast to the all-black version launched in January. The new Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Sapphire Rainbow recreates Murakami’s iconic ‘kawaii’ smiling flower in a dizzying array of gemstones on its dial. This includes rubies, sapphires, amethysts and tsavorites, Brilliantly tapping into this year’s demand for colourful timepieces (see our round-up of rainbow watches here, and our round-up of cartoon-inspired watches here).

Thanks to a unique ball-bearing system developed by the marque’s engineers. The three-dimensional, gem-studded petals can rotate beneath the watch’s clear sapphire crystal case, adding a touch of whirligig whimsy to the piece and bringing the smiley character to life.

“This partnership has enabled me to express my creativity in what is a totally new medium for me.” Murakami says, of the limited run of 100 watches. “The mastery of the watchmaker’s technicians has opened up new fields of possibilities for my inspiration. The result is this new watch in the colours of the rainbow.”

The Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Sapphire Rainbow watch, £88,000, Hublot.

See more colourful cartoon-inspired watches here

And see more rainbow-bright watches here (it’s a burgeoning trend)

Plus, the new take on cocktail watches explained here