Renowned for its innovative spirit, luxury Swiss watchmaker Hublot (Instagram), has unveiled an extraordinary collaboration with contemporary artist Daniel Arsham (Instagram), resulting in the Arsham Droplet.
This unique timepiece reimagines the classic pocket watch, blending antique forms with futuristic materials and production methods, and stands as a testament to the power of collaboration in pushing the boundaries of traditional watchmaking. ” I think you know as an artist we often use materials in new and unusual ways. The idea of alchemy of the transformation of materials is a paramount part of my own sculptural work. And when I visited the factory, you know, it’s very laboratory-like. It’s very clean and technical. I was particularly drawn to the sapphire crystal and the titanium. The sapphire crystal is something that I use within my own work as a reference to kind of geological timeframe, right? These objects that are from our present era but are recreated in geological materials as if we’re viewing them from some future era,” said Arsham.
The Arsham Droplet is a revolutionary creation that unites Hublot’s technical mastery with Arsham’s distinctive artistic vision. Known for transforming everyday objects into “future relics,” Daniel Arsham typically explores the malleability of time and memory. The Droplet, inspired by the organic, fluid forms found in nature, embodies a harmonious blend of past, present, and future, representing a milestone in horology.
Crafted from a combination of titanium, rubber, and sapphire crystal, the Arsham Droplet showcases Hublot’s unparalleled attention to detail and commitment to innovation. Measuring 73.2mm in length, 52.6mm in width, and 22.5mm in thickness, its ergonomic design fits perfectly in the hand, offering an immersive horological experience. At its heart lies Hublot’s iconic Meca-10 manufacture movement, boasting a 10-day power reserve, ensuring the timepiece remains functional for extended periods without frequent winding.
“Once I had proposed the idea of the pocket watch I think everyone in the factory and the engineers, everyone was really excited. It was the opportunity to employ some of their material capabilities but without the need to think about things like weight; you know that the object is quite heavy, you would never make a wristwatch that that was this heavy, it would be super uncomfortable. But, it works beautifully as an object to hold in your hand, the scale of the sapphire is much bigger than they would have ever used in a you know in a wristwatch. It’s also the first time that Hublot has made anything that’s not like orthogonal and perfectly symmetrical, so it was a way to kind of push against that perfection if you will. I also just love the way that the curve of the sapphire bends light,” said Arsham of the collaboration.
The Arsham Droplet is not just a pocket watch; it can be enjoyed in three different ways: as a pocket watch, a pendant, or a table clock. The timepiece comes with two titanium chains featuring Hublot’s patented double “one-click” system for seamless attachment, allowing it to be worn as a necklace or a traditional pocket watch. Additionally, it can be displayed as a sculptural centerpiece on its decorative titanium and mineral glass table stand.
Arsham’s design incorporates a sandwich construction with domed teardrop-shaped crystals, creating an open-worked titanium case that resembles delicate lace. The case is adorned with custom Arsham Green rubber bumpers, stamped with the artist’s monogram. The double sealing system with 17 O-rings ensures a perfect seal, reflecting Hublot’s dedication to technical excellence.
Arsham’s collaboration with Hublot began with a visit to their Swiss factory, where he was inspired by the laboratory-like environment and the materials, particularly sapphire crystal and titanium. Arsham’s vision for the Droplet stemmed from historical timekeeping practices and his desire to create a piece that transcended traditional forms.
The Droplet’s design process involved significant technical challenges, including scaling the sapphire crystal and developing a new clip-in system for its versatile uses. The resulting timepiece, limited to just 99 examples, features a distinctive rounded drop shape and showcases Hublot’s signature design elements, including six H-shaped screws and a semi-matte varnished Arsham Green dial and hands.
“A lot of it was back and forth with the engineers and the team there to push the capabilities. I think the first question was around the size of the sapphire … they didn’t know in the beginning whether they were actually going to be able to do it. I wanted to keep some of the iconic elements from a Hublot watch. The screws, when you see them in the face of this watch, the thickness of the glass on the surface is much thicker than the traditional one. And I think all of this had to be re-engineered. So, I would get physical samples. They wouldn’t work. We’d get them back. This is, you know, I think initially when we first started talking about this project, we were thinking to have it done by end of the year. End of 2022. And it just kept getting extended, you know, going through the process and having the time to actually iterate on all these different ideas,” said Daniel Arsham.
Hublot CEO Ricardo Guadalupe praised the collaboration, stating, “The Arsham Droplet is a testament to Hublot’s unwavering dedication to pushing the boundaries of both form and function. This groundbreaking timepiece seamlessly blends our horological expertise with Daniel Arsham’s visionary artistic vision.”
“In my own work, I tend to gravitate towards subject matter and things that I personally appreciate, and I make things that I want to see exist in the world. As a collector of objects of design, furniture, and architecture, I’m trying to introduce things into the world that are pleasing to me first and foremost, and then I hope that they will be to other audiences. It’s amazing to work with a company like Hublot that is focused on something that has a function or a particular purpose. You know, as an artist certainly, I make work, there is a function to it, there’s a purpose, but its purpose is not particularly defined. It’s a kind of open invitation. When you’re designing something as specific as a watch or a timekeeping device, its purpose is very defined, and it’s a different way of working,” said Arsham.
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