Richard Orlinski’s now emblematic edges, facets and bevels have been artistically sculpting Hublot watches since 2017, when he and the Swiss watchmaker presented their first artwork to be worn on the wrist. Since then, no material shaped by Hublot, nor any component of the watches, has seemed able to resist Orlinski’s masterful faceting.
Not even ceramic, not even a dial. The Hublot Classic Fusion Orlinski 40mm now comes in a monochrome mode in two editions entirely clad in ceramic, with the exception of the strap and the crown. In terms of colorimetry, the flashy blue and gloss black are reminiscent of the colour codes used in the artist’s XXL bestiary.
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Hublot is unquestionably the master of materials, and of fusion, an art that the Manufacture is constantly perfecting. For the first time, faceted ceramic dresses the whole watch, including its dial. The result is a bevelled architecture that gives life to the ceramic in origami style.
We can clearly see Orlinkski’s influence on the bezel and lugs at 12 and 6 o’clock. Other than that, the highlight of this watch design is in the solid, multi-faceted ceramic dial formed around a series of peaks and valleys designed to resemble the surface of a sculpture of the artist’s own creation.
The dial’s unique surface, angular applied hour markers, and faceted sword hands combine to yield quite a cool effect on the wrist, as the dial comes alive under light from pretty much any direction.
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If a crease gives clothing a certain effect, in this case it sets the tone for your wrists. These watches are like artworks to be worn, and ones that have naturally taken on the three-dimensional folds of Richard Orlinski’s sculptures.
A deliberate emphasis, bright colours, encapsulated in two editions. In terms of size, The Hublot Classic Fusion Orlinski keep the 40mm diameter proportions of their alter ego, and beat to the rhythm of an automatic movement with a 42-hour power reserve and are worn on a soft rubber strap.
