The highly anticipated 13th and final creation from the iconic collaboration between Hublot and renowned Japanese artist Takashi Murakami will debut. The Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Black Ceramic Rainbow, a unique NFT and an exclusive studio tour with the artist will be featured as Lot #100 at Phillips’ “TOKI: Watch Auction”.
Launched in 2022, Hublot and Takashi Murakami’s partnership redefined the boundaries of contemporary art and innovative watchmaking. Their journey began with 324 unique NFTs inspired by retro 1970s visuals, which granted access to 12 unique editions of the Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Black Ceramic. These timepieces featured Murakami’s iconic Smiling Flower, a kinetic artwork that transformed traditional watch design into a vibrant, interactive experience.
The Final Masterpiece: Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Black Ceramic Rainbow
This 13th edition builds upon the success of its predecessors, combining the 45mm black ceramic case of the original Classic Fusion design with the rainbow petals from the Sapphire Rainbow edition. The petals, encrusted with 384 gemstones, form a flawless gradient of rubies, sapphires, amethysts, tsavorites, and topaz stones, making this piece a dazzling tribute to Murakami’s artistic vision.
At the heart of the watch lies Hublot’s UNICO automatic manufacture movement, offering a 72-hour power reserve. The petals’ mesmerizing motion is powered by an innovative ball-bearing system, a hallmark of Hublot’s engineering expertise. This blend of mechanics and art brings Murakami’s Smiling Flower to life with every movement of the wrist.
In addition to the timepiece, the winning bidder will receive an NFT artwork linked to the watch and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit Takashi Murakami’s studio in Japan. This private tour offers an intimate glimpse into the artist’s creative world, a privilege few have experienced.
An incredible result to conclude one of the most exciting watch collaboration series in modern watchmaking. The 13th and final unique piece in Hublot X Takashi Murakami’s NFT series was sold at Phillips TOKI Watch Auction in Hong Kong for HKD 2,095,500 including the buyer’s premium, offered by Phillips, smashing the original estimate of HKD 450,000 by multiple times.
