The Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Black Ceramic Rainbow represents the culmination of an extraordinary collaboration between luxury Swiss watchmaker Hublot and renowned Japanese artist Takashi Murakami. This highly anticipated final piece is the grand finale of a groundbreaking series of watches that has captured the attention of both the art and horology worlds. Unlike previous editions, this unique timepiece will stand alone, not part of a limited run but a one-of-a-kind creation, accompanied by an NFT that mirrors its physical design.
A Unique Masterpiece with Murakami’s Signature Style
At the heart of the 45 mm Black Ceramic Rainbow is Murakami’s iconic smiling flower motif, a symbol of joy, positivity, and playfulness. The flower, with its twelve petals, bursts to life with a dazzling array of 384 colored gemstones, including sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and amethysts, arranged in a perfect rainbow gradient. This vibrant display of colors reflects Murakami’s artistic signature, blending high art with the joy of childhood-like wonder.
What makes this timepiece truly stand out is the use of Hublot’s renowned black ceramic for the case. The sleek, polished black ceramic provides a striking contrast to the vibrant gemstones, allowing the colors to truly pop. It’s a bold choice that underscores Hublot’s commitment to innovative materials, but it also enhances the overall aesthetic by allowing Murakami’s colorful artistry to shine.
Technical Excellence: Hublot’s Self-Winding UNICO Movement
While the watch’s visual appeal is undeniable, its technical prowess is equally impressive. The Black Ceramic Rainbow is powered by Hublot’s self-winding MHUB1214 UNICO movement, known for its reliability and precision. This advanced mechanism is visible through the transparent case back, allowing the wearer to appreciate the complexity of Hublot’s engineering.
Additionally, this watch boasts a 72-hour power reserve, ensuring that it will keep ticking for three days even when not worn.
A World Tour Before Auction
As the 13th and final piece in the Murakami x Hublot series, the Classic Fusion Black Ceramic Rainbow is set to embark on an exciting world tour before it ultimately goes to auction. Beginning in Singapore from October 17th to 20th, the watch will make stops in Taipei (November 2nd to 3rd), Geneva (November 6th to 10th), and finally Hong Kong, where it will be previewed on November 16th before the live auction at Phillips TOKI: Watch Auction on November 22nd, 2024 (Lot #100). The one-of-a-kind watch is estimated to fetch upwards of $58,000 USD.
This global tour serves as a celebration of both Murakami’s artistic legacy and Hublot’s commitment to blending art with luxury watchmaking. Fans of both the artist and the watchmaker will have the opportunity to view this unique timepiece before it finds its permanent home with the highest bidder. This makes the Black Ceramic Rainbow not only a visual masterpiece but also a historical artifact, marking the final chapter of an iconic series.
The NFT Connection: Blending Physical and Digital Art
In keeping with Murakami’s interest in digital art and technology, the Classic Fusion Black Ceramic Rainbow will be accompanied by an NFT. This NFT mirrors the physical design of the watch, with Murakami’s smiling flower taking center stage in the digital realm as well. The inclusion of an NFT adds an extra layer of uniqueness to the timepiece, ensuring that the buyer owns both a physical and digital representation of Murakami’s work
This seamless blending of the physical and digital worlds speaks to the future of both art and luxury. Murakami, known for pushing boundaries, has once again shown how traditional art forms can evolve to incorporate modern technology, and Hublot’s willingness to embrace these changes further solidifies its reputation as a forward-thinking brand.
Murakami’s Influence and Legacy
Takashi Murakami’s influence on contemporary art cannot be overstated. His ability to blend high art with pop culture has made him one of the most recognizable and influential artists of his generation. His collaborations with brands like Louis Vuitton and Hublot have expanded his reach, bringing his vibrant and playful art to new audiences
The Classic Fusion Black Ceramic Rainbow is a fitting final piece in Murakami’s partnership with Hublot. It captures the essence of his artistic philosophy—joy, color, and a playful approach to life—while also pushing the boundaries of what a luxury timepiece can represent. This watch is not just a tribute to Murakami’s artistic legacy but also a celebration of the creativity and innovation that define both Murakami and Hublot.
The buyer of this watch will not only receive the NFT but also a visit of Takashi Murakami’s studio in Miyoshi, Saitama, with proceeds going to Fond’Action Contre le Cancer.
A Unique Piece for the Ages
The Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Black Ceramic Rainbow is more than just a watch—it’s a testament to the power of collaboration between two creative visionaries. As the final piece in the Murakami x Hublot series, it stands as a bold statement of what’s possible when art and horology intersect. From its vibrant array of gemstones to its sleek black ceramic case, every detail of this watch reflects the genius of both Murakami and Hublot
With only one piece available, this watch is destined to become a cherished collector’s item. As it embarks on its world tour before the Phillips auction in November 2024, the Black Ceramic Rainbow will undoubtedly capture the attention of art lovers, watch enthusiasts, and collectors alike. This is more than just a timepiece—it’s a piece of history, a symbol of the future, and a celebration of creativity at its finest.
Also check out The Hublot x Murakami MP-15 Tourbillon Sapphire Rainbow.
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At the Art of Zen we have a wide selection of original Japanese art prints in the ukiyo-e and Japandi style. Some of our best selling work is Mount Fuji wall art and Japandi wall art.
Add some zen art to your space with some art from the Art of Zen shop.
All images courtesy of Hublot.
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