Hublot Water Blue Sapphire: How Chemical Innovation Creates New Crystal Colors
Hublot's Water Blue Sapphire: How Chemical Innovation Creates New Colors
At Watches & Wonders 2024, Hublot introduced a striking new variation of its Big Bang MP-11: the Water Blue Sapphire edition. Limited to just 50 pieces, this timepiece demonstrates how advances in chemical formulas are expanding the palette of colored sapphire crystal in luxury watchmaking.
The Science Behind Colored Sapphire
Creating colored sapphire crystal requires precise control of chemical compounds during the crystal growth process. While traditional sapphire is completely transparent, adding specific metal oxides during manufacturing can produce a range of colors — from the deep blue of sapphire gemstones to Hublot's innovative water-blue variant.
The Water Blue Sapphire results from a new chemical formula developed by Hublot's material science team. The resulting color shifts depending on ambient light, ranging from pale ice blue to a deeper ocean-like blue-green.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Case | 45.5mm Water Blue Sapphire crystal |
| Movement | HUB9011 Manufacture, hand-wound |
| Power Reserve | 14 days (336 hours) |
| Barrels | 7 mainspring barrels, perpendicular to dial |
| Thickness | 14.4mm |
| Availability | Limited to 50 pieces |
| Price | $171,000 USD |
The MP-11's Engineering Legacy
The MP-11 was first introduced in 2018 and has since appeared in clear sapphire, dark blue sapphire, and green SAXEM variants. Its defining feature is the hand-wound movement with a 14-day power reserve, achieved through seven mainspring barrels mounted perpendicular to the dial — an unconventional layout that maximizes energy storage within the case.
Despite its substantial dimensions, the all-sapphire and titanium construction keeps the watch surprisingly lightweight and wearable on the wrist.
Colored Sapphire: A Growing Trend
Hublot's experiments with colored sapphire have inspired other manufacturers to explore similar materials. The ability to produce consistent, vibrant colors in sapphire crystal represents a significant material science achievement, as even minor variations in chemical composition can dramatically affect the final appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is colored sapphire crystal made?
Colored sapphire is created by introducing specific metal oxide compounds during the Verneuil or Czochralski crystal growth process. The exact composition determines the final color, with Hublot developing proprietary formulas for their signature hues.
Does colored sapphire affect scratch resistance?
No. Regardless of color, sapphire crystal maintains its 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it virtually scratch-proof under normal wearing conditions.
Why is the MP-11 Water Blue Sapphire limited to 50 pieces?
The extreme difficulty of machining colored sapphire, combined with the complexity of the HUB9011 movement, limits production capacity. Each case requires significant time and precision to produce.
Related Reading
Sources: Worn & Wound, aBlogtoWatch