Simply Abu Dhabi Magazine XXI

8 2 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I Hublot M P - 0 5 " L a F e r r a r i " S a p p h i r e T here is nothing like a contradiction in terms to make for a memorable marketing hook, andHublot’s ‘Visible invisibility’ concept is a killer. The brand defines this as playing with “the visible and the invisible. Eye-catching. Surprising. Thought provoking… apparent invisibility is so fascinating that it makes it a highly visible and desirable object.” Hublot is widely known as having serious substance behind all the marketing magic, so watch lovers can expect something extraordinary in the Hublot MP-05 "LaFerrari" Sapphire. The original MP-05 “LaFerrari” was launched to wide-eyed effect back in 2013. The watch was a celebration of the supercar of the same name and boasted the same incomparable lines and design codes. The designers and watchmakers at Hublot worked in close collaboration with Flavio Manzoni, Senior Vice President of Ferrari Design, to achieve a ground-breaking wristwatch. The movement itself was entirely designed, developed and produced by the engineers and watchmakers at Hublot. It set a new record at the Manufacture with the highest number of components used in a Hublot movement – a technically astounding 637 – and the tourbillon has a 50-day power reserve due to the 11 series-coupled barrels set in a spine formation running through the centre of the timepiece. In the new iteration of the “LaFerrari” this incredible movement is showcased at the centre of a sapphire case. The micro-mechanics at the heart of the movement seem to be suspended in its case of sapphire – the second hardest substance after diamond – placing it firmly in the spotlight. Hublot are the first to admit this was an ambitious project that required the sapphire case to be constructed from seven components machined from seven blocks of sapphire, which entailed more than 600 hours labour. The subsequent carving of the case's ultra-complex architecture called for the use of 3D machining which added another layer of complexity to the challenge. The beguiling HUB9005.H1.PN.1 movement still features 637 components and a hypnotic suspended vertical tourbillon. In its vertical position, the small seconds are displayed via a transparent cylinder fixed on the suspended tourbillon cage, while the hours and minutes are located to the right of the barrels. The 50-day power reserve is also displayed via transparent cylinders over to the left. The watch is mounted on a transparent silicon strap with a buckle with sapphire elements; however Hublot are also offering alternative strap options for those who don’t want to extend the transparent theme too far. There is no actual crown on this watch and the winding is done, in fitting style, via a miniature power drill inspired by the tyre- changing tool used in Formula 1. After 18 months' development the watch weighs in at just 53.5 grammes and includes 108 jewels, while the movement operates at 3Hz (21,600 bph). The “LaFerrari” can be proudly displayed on the wrist for $575,000 and those wanting one will have to act quickly – the watch is already a collector's item and is limited to 20 pieces. For Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot, the watch represent a new chapter for the brand. As he concludes, “Today the All Clear concept pays tribute to our proprietary calibres and to all the watchmaking expertise that Hublot has developed over the last decade. ‘Visible invisibility’ is a philosophy which has culminated in success for Hublot.”