Made in collaboration with Jeff Koons, an iconic piece gets reinterpreted for your wrist.
Art has always been an interest for Hublot, you only need to look at prior collaborations with Takashi Murakami and Daniel Arsham as proof. The latest artist to join their lineup? None other than Jeff Koons. The two unveiled their collaboration last night in New York City, introducing two brand new watches: the Classic Fusion Balloon Dog and the MP-14 Origin. Bringing together Koons’ fascination with transforming familiar forms and Hublot’s signature technical experimentation, the partnership turns time into a piece of art that you can wear on your wrist.
The more playful of the two watches is the Classic Fusion Balloon Dog, which references Koons’ instantly recognizable sculptures. First created between 1994 and 2000 as part of his “Celebration” series, the original transforms a fragile, fleeting balloon animal into something iconic. That same idea is reimagined across the 42mm watch, whose traditionally sleek shaping has been remodeled with an almost inflatable look complete with domed surfaces and curved lines to create the illusion of being air-filled. With a balloon-inspired crown, decorative tail, Balloon Dog second-hand, and padded metallic leather strap, the watch encompasses the concept down to the smallest details.
Behind its sleek curves is some complex engineering. Components were reworked using five-axis CNC machining and finished by hand, while the sapphire crystal, titanium screws and dial were all redesigned to maintain the illusion of internal pressure. Available in mirror-polished stainless steel, red anodized aluminium or blue anodized aluminium, each variation of the watch is limited to 200 pieces, accompanied by color matching Balloon Dog-inspired packaging.
The other creation, the MP-14 Origin takes this collaboration on an almost cosmic turn. Part of Hublot’s “Exceptional Timepieces” collection, the 44mm watch showcases the birth of the universe on a microscopic scale, with concentric rings appearing to expand from a central tourbillon. The watch’s transparent octagonal case is constructed from sapphire and titanium, requiring 534 hours of machining, while layers of baguette-cut diamonds and blue sapphires form orbital rings around its center. Beneath a translucent blue sapphire dome inspired by Koons’ “Gazing Ball” works, two suspended rotating rings indicate the hours and minutes, while 202 gemstones, totalling approximately 2.6 carats, create the impression of a miniature celestial system in constant motion.
At its heart is Hublot’s HUB9014 manufacture movement, comprising 594 components, beating at 3 Hz and offering a 60 hour power reserve. A peripheral oscillating weight keeps the watch looking like it’s in constant motion, while an integrated sapphire bracelet, concealed winding, and time-setting allow the watch to preserve its look whilst maintaining functionality.
Sapphires are central to this collaboration, reflecting Hublot’s decade-long experimentation with the material since the 2016 Big Bang Unico Sapphire. With this collection, it becomes used for both structure and aesthetics. Limited to just 30 pieces, the MP-14 Origin is presented in an infinite-mirror installation designed to make the watch appear suspended in an endless universe, an appropriately immersive finale to a collaboration that combines art and mechanics.
Both timepieces are available now, should you want an out of this world partnership to add to your collection.
