The importance of the pocket watch in watchmaking history is somewhat forgotten today. Prior to its invention in the 1600s, only church or turret clocks were able to give time, so the migration from an architectural object to something worn on the body was a huge deal in the evolution of timekeeping. The pocket watch remained the timekeeper of choice until wristwatches became popular after World War I, over three centuries later.
Typically attached to a chain for security, these timekeepers were placed in a pocket and could be easily removed for consultation with their smooth round shape adding a tactile experience to the ritual of looking at the time. This gesture has long been neglected, so what a joy to discover a contemporary version of the pocket watch with a brand-new collaboration between Hublot and New York-based artist Daniel Arsham.
Hublot Loves Art
Hublot has been showing its love for art for over a decade, exploring different perspectives on time and timekeepers with multiple artistic collaborations. For this project, the watchmaker has enlisted the creative talents of Daniel Arsham whose work spans fine art, architecture, performance, and film. Arsham loves to play with the past, present and future, showcasing the malleability and power of nostalgia, often through references to moments of the late 20th century.
The Arsham Droplet
Blending both antique and futuristic forms, Arsham has totally reimagined the pocket watch as we know it. He has employed organic and fluid shapes found in nature to keep the much-loved ergonomic and tactile appeal of the pocket watch.
The Arsham Droplet is crafted in an open-worked titanium case that features green rubber bumpers on the side (the artist’s signature colour) and two tear-drop-shaped sapphire crystals that allow the watch to sit perfectly in the hand. Powered by the brand’s MECA 10 movement with a 10-day power reserve, this high-tech calibre blends seamlessly into the case design with its skeletonized aesthetic and green touches. Arsham has also incorporated Hublot’s signature H-shaped screws into the design, mixing the watchmaker’s design codes with his own.
“The Arsham Droplet is a true testament to the power of collaboration,” shares Arsham. “By combining Hublot's technical expertise with my own artistic vision, we have created a timepiece that transcends the traditional pocket watch, blending the past, present and future in a captivating and unexpected way.”
Three Ways to Tell Time
The timekeeper is attached to two contemporary titanium chains so that it can be worn in the traditional “pocket” way, or around the neck as a pendant. The chains also come with Hublot’s double “one click” system for ease of use. The timepiece can also be displayed as a desk clock thanks to a decorative titanium and mineral glass stand that is included.
Limited to 99 pieces, the Arsham Droplet is water resistant to 30 metres and measures 73.2 mm in length, 52.6 mm in width, and 22.5 mm thick. “Together with Daniel, we made the impossible possible,” explains Ricardo Guadalupe, Hublot CEO. “The Arsham Droplet is a testament to Hublot's unwavering dedication to pushing the boundaries of both form and function. This groundbreaking timepiece is a true work of art, seamlessly blending our horological expertise with Daniel Arsham's visionary artistic vision.”
