It’s only been three years since Takashi Murakami’s first joyful collaboration with Hublot – the Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami All Black launched in January 2021 and, while at the time it felt like a revelation, with hindsight it was a very subdued beginning to what would prove to be a partnership for the horological ages. A year later, in January 2022, the Sapphire Rainbow burst on to the scene, and since then the daisy-faced hits have just kept coming. The Black Ceramic Rainbow caused a stir with only 13 being produced, and only being available for purchase by the prescient buyers of Hublot/Murakami NFTs at Geneva’s Watches & Wonders 2023. Then came the revolutionary MP-15 Takashi Murakami Tourbillon unique piece produced for the high-end Only One charity watch auction – but as the sale has been postponed that colourful piece of wrist candy remains in limbo. But now, finally, with the launch of the MP-15 Floral Sapphire, fans of Murakami’s famed Superflat movement have more than one chance at getting their hands on this unique central tourbillon timepiece. It all goes hand-in-hand with Hublot’s boundary-pushing and collaborative philosophy – whether pairing rubber with fine gold, or a controversial Japanese artist with the world of haute horlogerie, Hublot sees possibilities where others would see nothing but problems. MOJEH met with both Murakami and Hublot’s CEO Ricardo Guadalupe to learn more about their match made in heaven, and their unmistakeable watches – proudly made in Switzerland.
