Color My World

          While Hublot will create designs to mimic industry trends, this latest MP-09 Tourbillon Bi-Axis 3D Carbon Watch has captured the rainbow color spectrum in a unique manner.  What would normally be an array of gemstones displaying the rainbow colors, the brand has used an exquisite high-tech and sporty format of carbon fiber composites.  In reality, the watch at it’s core is just a color variation of the brand’s existing model, featuring the same 49mm case crafted from carbon fiber, and protruding at the 6 o’clock location where it displays the bi-axis tourbillon.  The surface of the timepiece, like others in the collection is home to the large and asymmetric sapphire crystal which curves toward the bottom to house the two sided display window for the tourbillon.  There are other similarities to the MP-09 series, the winding crown at 3 o’clock, and the large sapphire crystal fitted to the reverse side to complete the skeletonized design.  So a familiar look and feel that opens the door for unique changes.

Familiar Features Fantastic

          So the new Hublot MP-09 Tourbillon Bi-Axis Rainbow 3D Carbon watch certainly has a overall design and features that will be familiar to those who are acquainted with the timepieces, but the creative genius of this watch is in the innovation the brand used to achieve the multi-colored gradient for the carbon fiber material.  The unique gradient that previously was a single color is now a rainbow of colors, adding purple and orange to the existing lineup.  Since the bezel displays each and every different color, Hublot had to discover a way to make the carbon fiber material inclusive of this spectrum of color.  The brand has always been creative and innovative, so leading the way to new advancements was no challenge for them.

Creating Color

          Representing a first for the brand, this MP-09 Tourbillon Bi-Axis Rainbow colored carbon case is prominent and pushes a new envelope for the brand.  Hublot provided some details of the design, taking thin bars of carbon that were laid out flat and separated by a few millimeters, while vertically placing bars of colored composite in the gaps, protruding slightly from the carbon material.  Filling the difference in height with a third carbon mesh raised all the different bars to the same level, and then basically braiding them together provided the strength and signature pattern that wove them together, giving length, width and height, which created this one singular weave.  Creating the graduation effect so that the case components could be milled was quite a task, as hundreds of the colored inserts were created and an almost infinite number of color shades developed.  While the colorful case creation provided a home for the movement, there was a need for a matching dial and in the case of a bi-axis tourbillon that is not just a dial.  The face of the timepiece is occupied by a power reserve indicator, and then the protruding tourbillon, as well as the actual time is presented in the upper right hand corner using the skeletonized dial.  On this design of the MP-09 Tourbillon Bi-Axis Rainbow 3D Carbon, Hublot took each hour marker and finished them in a different color that corresponds to the gradient pattern.  The remainder of the watch face remains open-worked and exposes the mechanical working of the movement.

My Heart Goes On

          The Hublot MP-09 Tourbillon Bi-Axis 3D Carbon features the same in-house manual wind movement as others in the collection.  The HUB9009.H1.RA runs at a frequency of 21,600vph with a power reserve of approximately 120 hours.  This beauty is finished with a rainbow-colored alligator leather strap that is fitted with a stainless steel clasp.  The design of the strap is spectacular, featuring a rainbow pattern that as it fits to the top of the watch is the warmer colors of the spectrum and the 6 o’clock side features the cooler colors, really creating a cohesive and exquisite appearance.  Hublot is known for innovative designs and certainly fun and colorful watches.  This bold design of this timepiece is certainly one of the most exotic and is a statement piece for sure.  There is a very limited production for the MP-09 Tourbillon Bi-Axis Rainbow 3D Carbon, but even more significant for the brand is the new process they have developed for coloring carbon fiber and means a future of possibility for the brand and perhaps a more extensive pricing structure for the fans.