Hublot’s Tribute to the Antikythera Mechanism

Hublot watches represent the fusion of the classic traditions of watch-making and innovative watch design for the future. Hublot’s latest brainchild is no exception to this pioneering spirit – the recreation of the Antikythera Mechanism in watch form. This watch will be a fusion of 200 BC at the dawn of watch-making history and the 21st century.

The Antikythera Mechanism is the most ancient astronomical calendar and analogue computer. In 1901 the Mechanism was discovered in the remains of a sunken ship off the coast of Antikythera, a Greek island. Date around 87 BC, the Antikythera Mechanism was built to chart not time, but the movements of the moon and various astrological calendars. This extraordinary creation was capable of showing the cycles such as the Metonic (19 years), Callippic cycle (76 years), Saros Cycle (18 years), and Exeligmos cycles (54 years) and was extraordinarily accurate.

These days, it is now believe to be possible that the machine came from Syracuse, in Sicily, and may have been one of the projects of mathematician extraordinaire Archimedes.

Hublot’s desire to undertake such a dauntingly ambitious project was purely for the love of horology and to show tribute to watch-making history. Mathias Buttet, the research development director for Hublot, said that the mechanism was extremely difficult to reproduce as it was complicated to miniaturize the gear ratio seen in the original piece.

The Hublot Antikythera Mechanism now has the claim of the first watch inspired by archaeological findings. All known indications of the original mechanism have been reproduced on the front and the back of the watch with the movement regulated by a tourbillion cage at the six o’clock position.

The case measures 30mm x 38mm and it is 14mm thick. The primary face shows calendar for Panhellenic games, Egyptian calendar, position of the sun in the constellations of the Zodiac, moon phases, and sidereal year. The back shows the Callippic, Metonic, Saros, and Exeligmos cycles.

Only four of these unique watches will be produced. The watches will go to the Athens Museum, the Musee des Arts de Metiers, the Hublot Museum, and the last watch will be auctioned for charity. The proceeds will go in support of the Athens Museum and the Musee des Arts de Metiers. If you happened to be in Switzerland next year, this watch will be presented at the spring 2012 Baselworld show.

King Jewelers is proud to be an authorized retailer for Hublot Watches Nashville, TN. For more information regarding Hublot, please visit www.hublot.com. For more information regarding pricing and availability of Hublot watches, please visit our Hublot Page or email us at info@kings1912.com.