Six months ago, at the Musée des Arts et Métiers in Paris, Hublot publicly unveiled the movement developed as a tribute to the Antikythera mechanism. The fabled astronomical calculator, which probably dates from the 2nd century BC, and whose remains were discovered in Greek waters in 1900, describes the movements and position of the moon and the sun in our sky. Hublot is paying tribute to this masterpiece of Antiquity by reproducing the mechanism in miniature, resulting in a movement with the dimensions of a wristwatch, adding to it hours, minutes and a tourbillon escapement system, and a generous 5-day power reserve, as a modern signature.
Baselworld 2012 provides the occasion for Hublot to finally unveil the Antikythera watch. More than just a watch, it is a watchmaking tribute paid to the Ancient world. At Jean-Claude Biver’s behest, only 4 identical timepieces would be created: the first – which is on display at the Basel watch show – will be going to the Athens Museum where it will be exhibited alongside the fragments of the original Antikythera Mechanism. The second will be sold at auction, with proceeds going to the Archaeological Museum of Athens. The third will remain on display at the Musée des Arts et Métiers in Paris. And lastly, the fourth will be kept by Hublot in its own museum.
This masterpiece represents the perfect fusion between ancient and modern times. Its two facetted sapphire crystals emphasise and showcase the dual display of the double-sided movement.
Two crowns, each adorned with the same cross, recall the original form of the Antikythera Mechanism. The crown located at 6 o’clock is used to wind the piece and set the time, while the crown positioned at 12 o’clock is used to correct the mechanism’s astronomical indications, by indexing the moon’s age in relation to the position of the sun. Due to the complexity of the data being displayed, the crowns have been secured to prevent their settings from being changed accidentally. A microblasted titanium case protects this exceptional mechanical timepiece. To harmonise with the sapphire crystals, the case also features a facetted finish. The watch sports a rubber strap, specially designed for this model.
HUBLOT Antikythera Watch – TECHNICAL DETAILS
- Reference – Masterpiece MP-04 Antikythera; 904.NX.4101.RX
- Case – Micro-blasted titanium – Length 49.90 mm X width 49.05 mm X thickness 20.83 mm
- Bezel – Micro-blasted titanium
- Crowns – Micro-blasted titanium with black rubber moulding
- Lateral inserts – Micro-blasted black PVD titanium
- Crystal – Sapphire with colourless anti-reflective coating
- Case-back – Micro-blasted titanium
- Water resistance – 3 ATM, equivalent to approximately 30 metres
- Movement – Hublot Antikythera calibre 2033-CH01, Manual winding; Hours, minutes; Seconds via the tourbillon cage; Flying tourbillon without ball bearing
- Power reserve – 120 hours
The HUBLOT Antikytera Watch
