BaselWorld 2012: THE HUBLOT "ANTIKYTHERA" WATCH................

Posted by watchculture 
avatar BaselWorld 2012: THE HUBLOT "ANTIKYTHERA" WATCH................
March 09, 2012 02:36AM


THE HUBLOT "ANTIKYTHERA" WATCH

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.










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

Zach T
Forum Moderator
...Not only Big Bang then ....
March 18, 2012 03:07AM
It is a pleasure to see that Hublot is not only the Big Bang, and is able to make something really interesting and in some way...Revolutionary !

Bye from Milano,
slide68
avatar Yes, Hublot can!
March 19, 2012 05:14AM
Hublot definitely can do more than Big Bangs smiling smiley They have their own Manufacture and a team of innovative designers. And not forgetting JCB and Ricardo Guadalupe the new CEO. They are a great team thumbs up
I for one am impressed and looking forward to more interesting stuff from Hublot.

Zach T
Forum Moderator