Hublot MP-05 LaFerrari

Hublot MP-05 LaFerrari


by Matthew Boston
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Hublot, Over $30,000

The worlds of watch making and automobiles often form associations leading to diverse results, some merely featuring the automobile company’s logo on the dial while others producing creations far more in depth. The Hublot MP-05 LaFerrari is definitely the latter with Hublot unleashing a technical tour de force in homage to one of, if not the most impressive sports cars, the Ferrari LaFerrari. Issued in a limited edition of just 499 the LaFerrari has a 6.3 litre V12 engine delivering 800 hp, coupled with a 163-hp electrical engine which means it can go from 0 to 300 kph in less than 15 seconds.

Ferrari LaFerrari

Ferrari LaFerrari

The watch, Masterpiece MP-05, and nicknamed the LaFerrari, like the car also provides an impressive show of power with 11 mainspring barrels coupled together providing enough driving force to run for a massive record breaking 50 days without the need for rewinding. A ‘superwatch’ to compliment the supercar.

Hublot MP-05 LaFerrari – Case

Hublot LaFerrari has been designed to recall the dynamic curvature of the supercar and its form has been dictated by its engine (movement). The black PVD-coated titanium case is a unique shape for a watch and is closer in form to a car component than the typical contours we associate with a watch. In terms of other watches it probably most closely resembles Hublot’s own La Cle Du Temps.

Hublot MP-05 LaFerrari - Case

Hublot MP-05 LaFerrari – Case

Carbon fiber is also used in the case, a material more often than not associated with automobiles and just as the Ferrari supercar reveals its engine through the rear window Hublots LaFerrari showcases its 11 longitudinal barrels proudly through the large sapphire crystal attached to the tapering black case. Also like Hublots La Cle Du Temps it features a horizontally mounted tourbillon on the lower part of the case.

With a matte black case done in titanium the MP-05 LaFerrari comes mounted on a rubber strap.

Hublot MP-05 LaFerrari – Movement

The Hublot LaFerrari is fitted with movement HUB9005.H1.6 calibre which contains the highest number of parts (637) so far for a Hublot movement. Its most impressive aspect and the main reason for its technical complexity is of course its phenomenal 50 day power reserve thanks to the 11 mainspring barrels making it the longest in watchmaking, eclipsing the Rebellion T-1000 with its 40 days reserve.

Hublot MP-05 LaFerrari - Movement

Hublot MP-05 LaFerrari – Movement

In order to reduce wear synthetic rubies have been used with the barrels and to control the large quantity of energy and ensure smooth running the movement is regulated by a transverse tourbillon mounted in similar fashion to their La Cle Du Temps model.

With such a massive power reserve winding becomes quite an undertaking, so much so that Hublot actually provides a power tool to do it! Because of the amount of torque (and presumably time) that would be needed to wind it by hand, accompanying the watch is a little tool set featuring an electronic screw-driver which enables you to wind and set it. In fact the only way of winding the watch is by using the power tool.

Hublot MP-05 LaFerrari Power Tool

Hublot MP-05 LaFerrari Power Tool

Hublot MP-05 LaFerrari – Dial

The dial -although it in no sense resembles what is usually termed a dial-is all about exhibiting its technical prowess and in terms of functionality is very minimal, it simply displays the hours and minutes on cylinders along with a power reserve indicator. The dial is all about horological guts which are on display for all to see with its engineering virtuosity.

Hublot MP-05 LaFerrari - Dial

Hublot MP-05 LaFerrari – Dial

Hublot MP-05 LaFerrari – Conclusion and Price

With an awesome record-breaking show of raw power Hublot has created a watch that not only packs a punch but looks the part too with its array of mainspring barrels mimicking a car’s cylinders the LaFerrari watch nicely captures the feeling of the Ferrari LaFerrari and is the horological equivalent of a supercar. The Hublot MP-05 LaFerrari is a limited edition of 50 and retails for $300,000.

More resources about the Hublot MP-05 LaFerrari available on ABTW (Hands-On) and Official Hublot Website.

    Author Bio

    Articles by Matthew Boston

    CONTRIBUTOR

    Matthew Boston has worked in the computer graphics industry for 17 years in various parts of the world, currently residing back home in the UK. His interest in watches was first piqued as a youngster when he was fascinated by a Seiko digital watch he received. He's also founder of UniqueWatchGuide which is dedicated to sharing the news about timepieces that are unusual, unconventional and more often than not unobtainable.