Baselworld 2017 Hublot MP-09 Tourbillon Bi-Axis

Not too long ago, we argued that Hublot is a serious watchmaker, with the Baselworld 2017 Hublot MP-09 Tourbillon Bi-Axis, the LVMH brand provided more evidentiary proof with its new Manufacture Piece (MP). The new Hublot MP-09 Tourbillon Bi-Axis is the manufacture’s first attempt at a multi-axis tourbillon and more importantly, it’s showcased in a unique case which provides maximum visibility of its fascinating double rotation tourbillon in signature Hublot swagger.

Baselworld 2017 Hublot MP-09 Tourbillon Bi-Axis

By all accounts, making a bi-Axis tourbillon in-house requires a serious bit of watchmaking know-how. But it’s not like Hublot never made the LaFerrari or an astronomical calendar watch before right? Not to downplay their achievements but the new MP-09 Tourbillon Bi-Axis is just another entry in a string of serious watches with thoroughly impressive and theatrically dramatic mechanisms. In terms of aesthetics, the new Hublot MP-09 Tourbillon Bi-Axis is designed to pull your eye straight to its reason for being, the innovative bi-axis tourbillon (a first for the company).

“With our Manufacture Pieces, we are taking the expression of our watchmaking savoir-faire very far and making the most of it to give each watch a specific aesthetic.” – Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot

In expressing this savoir-faire, Hublot has designed all components including the unique movement architecture for the calibre HUB9009.H1.RA and also a unique watch case which truly expresses what an innovative powerhouse the integrated manufacture really is.

Equipped with a 5 day power reserve, the bi-axial tourbillon makes a full rotation in one minute along one axis while another makes its full rotation every 30 seconds overcoming the effects of gravity in more multi-pronged fashion than an ordinary tourbillon. Impressively, you can admire the MP-09 Tourbillon Bi-Axis mesmerising orbit through multiple angles and while the case is new, it still conveys the aesthetic DNA of Hublot.

The hour and minute indicators are quite obviously displayed on the top right portion of the “lightbulb” but less obvious is the date indicator on two arcs just beside it – interestingly, it has the visual display of old school lifts where a back panel “highlights” the numeral in a high tech but retro way; furthermore, it is served by a date corrector lever actuated on the left side of the case – it’s an intuitive lever up for forward and lever down for backwards – making date correction easier than the usual complete cycling through 31 days to get to the correct date. The power reserve is easy to read as well.