Daniel Arsham’s practice is defined by an interest in objects that exist outside conventional timelines, what he terms “fictional archaeology.” Everyday objects, when reimagined through this lens, become artefacts that might belong to the distant past or a speculative future. Partnering with Hublot, a manufacturer celebrated for its mechanical ingenuity, he has translated this conceptual framework into a watch that challenges how we perceive time on the wrist.
The MP-17 follows their earlier collaboration, the MP-16 Arsham Droplet pocket watch, transforming sculptural experimentation into a fully wearable form. Where the Droplet hinted at temporal fluidity, the MP-17 embodies it. It’s a timepiece that encapsulates artistic expression, architectural form, and mechanical functionality.
“This collaboration with Hublot explores the fluidity of time through a case inspired by the perfect geometry of a water droplet, crafted using Hublot’s Meca-10 movement. The watch’s transparent structure captures the clarity and motion of water, suspended, precise, and always in flux.” Daniel Arsham, American Artist and Hublot Ambassador
Interpreting Time Through Design
The 42mm case abandons the traditional round form in favour of fluid, organic geometry. Frosted sapphire forms the bezel, sitting atop a titanium frame shaped to suggest the movement of water. The design prioritises subtlety, with each curve, and each plane intentionally crafted. Even within this experimentation, Hublot’s signature markers still remains. The six H-screws, lugs at 3 and 9 o’clock, and the H-shaped clasp are quietly familiar touchpoints in an otherwise unconventional silhouette.
A splash-shaped aperture on the dial reveals the Meca-10 movement beneath, framed by green accents on the hands, numerals, and power reserve indicator. This is a watch where design and functionality coexist: the aesthetic choices are inseparable from how the watch communicates time.
“My work is about collapsing time. You’re not quite sure if it’s an object from the past or the future.” Daniel Arsham, American Artist and Hublot Ambassador
Arsham’s influence is evident not just in colour or form but in the overall approach. The case and dial feel almost like a frozen moment, a water splash suspended in motion. Every angle presents a different perspective, echoing Arsham’s broader interest in how objects occupy and interact with space over time.
Materials and Movement in Dialogue
The MP-17’s materials reflect Hublot’s ongoing philosophy of “The Art of Fusion.” Sapphire provides transparency and scratch resistance, titanium delivers strength without weight, and rubber ensures comfort where the watch meets the wrist. These choices are practical, but in the hands of Hublot and Arsham, they become part of the narrative: transparency reveals the mechanics, titanium enables sculptural freedom, and rubber maintains a sense of approachability in an otherwise experimental piece.
At the heart of the watch is a downsized version of Hublot’s in-house Meca-10 calibre. The manual-wind movement offers a 10-day power reserve, and its skeletonised construction allows light to penetrate multiple layers. This openness is more than an aesthetic decision; it embodies Arsham’s exploration of temporality. Observers can witness the movement in action, a subtle reminder that time is measured not just by the hands but by the mechanisms beneath them.
Hublot’s technical expertise ensures that while the MP-17 challenges expectations, it never sacrifices reliability. Every component is engineered to perform, even as the overall form invites reflection on the nature of time itself.
Concept and Craft
The MP-17 occupies a rare space where function and concept are inseparable. It performs its basic duty of telling time with absolute competence. Simultaneously, it encourages consideration of the objects and moments we take for granted. The ambiguity is deliberate and central to Arsham’s philosophy.
“Working with Daniel Arsham is a discovery of new design and perception. The MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire represents the next exciting chapter in our collaboration with our ambassador, artist Daniel Arsham. It’s a testament to Hublot’s Art of Fusion, seamlessly blending fine watchmaking and art to create a timepiece that is visually stunning whilst pushing the boundaries of innovation. This watch invites us to see time in a new light, through Arsham’s unique and fluid vision.”” Julien Tornare, Chief Executive Officer, Hublot
Limited, Intentional, Distinctive
Production is capped at 99 pieces. Available through Hublot boutiques and authorised retailers, the MP-17 blends unconventional form with proven engineering, creating a timepiece that is exclusive yet approachable. It offers collectors a compelling intersection of contemporary art and horology, challenging perceptions while delivering a familiar, assured experience on the wrist.