KIH
[Purist]
12044
Hublot: 2014 Hot Items Presentation by Mathias Buttet, Director of R&D
Mr. Mathias Buttet, Director of R&D at Hublot visited Tokyo and gave presentation on the hot items of 2014 and beyond.
His presentation was three-fold + ?:
1. What is Osmium and Classic Fusion "Firmament"
2. Details of Classic Fusion "Vitrail"
3. Hublot after the World Cup
and.... coming up next year!
First, his opening remark:
"I visit Japan every year in July - my birthday is in July and sometimes I celebrate my birthday in Japan, so while I love Japan, coming to Japan makes me a bit depressed as I get one year older upon return 
"
" While he makes presentation, we ate nice lunch box!
By the way, the venue was, again, Andaz Tokyo at Toranomon Hills (Lucky me! Three times in a week!)
Now the time for presentation. I am sorry for Mr. Buttet, who apparently could not eat....
1. Osmium
What is Osmium?
Although very little known "rare metal", Osmium was discovered in 1800 but has never been used for industrial purpose. Osmium is one of the Platinum Group Metals, but the scientists have not concluded how it came to being yet - most likely it was made when the earth was formed.
One of the reasons why it has not been used since its discovery in 1800 is that its melting point is very high at 3030 Celsius, while Platinum at around 1700 C and Gold at around 1000 C. Naturally, there was not the container which could withstand such hot temperature.
And the characteristics of Osmium is known to be highly toxic in the oxydized powder form. "Osmium" in Greek means "smell" and the toxin affects the smelling nerve and if the powder get in your nose, you would lose the sense of smelling. But it has been also known that in the crystalized form, it is non-toxic. The problem has been how to crystalize the metal.
As mentioned above, Osmium is one of the "rare metals" - from the minerals which contains Platinum, out of 15,000 ton, only 30 gram of Osmium is in it.
... and how much are estimated in/on the earth - 30,000 tons of Platinum and just 200 tons of Osmium.
The actual crystalized Osmium. It is only Hublot that developed how to crystalize Osmium - and has exclusive rights for 20 years to do it as well as crystalizing other 24 metals. The crystalized Osmium now can be used in the industry use, and possibly in the jewelry area, but the usage would all have to go through Hublot. The fact must be known to the general public - diamond is well known for jewelry use, but crystalized Osmium is very little known so today it is for sure that lady's would choose Diamond over the crystalized Osmium, despite the brilliance and beauty of it
What is so great about "crystalized Osmium"? : -> As hard as ceramics and would not crack .
It was also hard to make it suitable for dial - thin, and smaller crystalization.
... how precious is it? EUR600 per 1 gram . The price is only going up.
Mr. Buttet explains passionately.
The brilliance is one of the beauty of the crystalized Osmium - much more prominent than Diamond.
The name of the watch is "Firmament" - meaning "The Sky" as its color, clarity and brilliance reminds of the big sky.
It was also hard to make it suitable for dial - thin, and smaller crystalization.
... how precious is it? EUR600 per 1 gram . The price is only going up.
Mr. Buttet explains passionately.
The brilliance is one of the beauty of the crystalized Osmium - much more prominent than Diamond.
The name of the watch is "Firmament" - meaning "The Sky" as its color, clarity and brilliance reminds of the big sky.
Mr. Buttet's lunch box is going cold......
Mr. Buttet answers questions.
Question from the attendees: Where is this Osmium found in the world?
Mathias Buttet ("MB"): It is said to be about 10 locations in the world, namely, where Platinum is found, Osmium can be found - USA. Russia, Africa, Japan, and China to name a few. Ours was imported from USA. We ordered 10 kg (worth EUR6,000,000) and it appears that it was the first time ever for anybody to order such a big quantity. We know that there are 30 kg in USA and 70 kg elsewhere in stock.
We also know that Osmium is used for the fountain pen tip, but it is in the very small quantity metal form and not crystalized form.
I brought in this sample (approx. 100 gram) and it is worth EUR60,000 - asked by the custom what it is and I answered "crystal", then the agent said "oh, what a beautiful crystal!".
We also know that Osmium is used for the fountain pen tip, but it is in the very small quantity metal form and not crystalized form.
I brought in this sample (approx. 100 gram) and it is worth EUR60,000 - asked by the custom what it is and I answered "crystal", then the agent said "oh, what a beautiful crystal!".
Since this is such a hard material, this COULD be used as the case material, but it is crystalized and has lots of edges like knives, so be ready for your shirts shredded soon
2. Classic Fusion Vitrail
2. Classic Fusion Vitrail
"Vitrail" means "Stained Glass" - it can be made with the single color glasses but it also can be made with multiple color glasses. The combination is countless and all can be the "unique piece".
Against the light, it is so beautiful, like the ones in the churches - it is exactly the inspiration to create this model. For 2015 model, more materials with more colors (including Osmium) will be used in this model. You will be able to place an order for the unique piece by your choice of color combinations.
3. After the World Cup, what will come?
3. After the World Cup, what will come?
Antikythera re-visited.
Another ship has been found below the ship around which the Antikythera mechanism was found - so the expectation is that the more Antikythera mechanism related relics might be found and the more answers to the mystery might be answered.
Hublot is sponsoring the yet another excursion to the deep sea and provided the deep dive suit (made by USA and Norway team, cost EUR1.5 million). Of course the dive watch is Hublot.
Please stay tuned!
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Referee board, which took two years of negotiation with FIFA and was at last approved just before the World Cup opened.
Dessert.....
... and beyond
Dessert.....
... and beyond
2014 is the year of "the most precious material" and 2015 will be....
Mr. Buttet revealed that he has developed "the most complicated watch in the world" with 18,000 parts - will be shown to public next year (maybe at Basel, or later by the end of the year). Last year when I interviewed him, I was told that he developed a watch with 4500 parts but he made it even more complex with 18,000 parts..... Must be massive!
Last year interview:
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On Mr. Buttet's wrist. Nice!
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Thank you so much:
Mr. Mathias Buttet, Director, R&D, Hublot.
Ms. Miwa Sakai, Director, Asia/ Pacific Region, Hublot
Ms. Saiko Kurita, Communication Manager, Hublot Japan
Looking forward to meeting these novelties in person at the boutique and next year's most complicated watch!
Best,
Ken
This message has been edited by KIH on 2014-07-07 10:03:26
More posts:
Hublot: 2014 Hot Items Presentation by Mathias Buttet, Director of R&D
Mr. Mathias Buttet, Director of R&D at Hublot visited Tokyo and gave presentation on the hot items of 2014 and beyond. His presentation was three-fold + α: 1. What is Osmium and Classic Fusion "Firmament" 2. Details of Classic Fusion "Vitrail" 3. Hubl...
Interesting material.
I've never heard it. Looks like ZEITWERK HANDWERKSKUNST. Three times Toranomon Hills!? I envy you(^_^)/
Multi-colored vitrail works much better!
In Basel, I saw these watches with a single colour and now the vitrail technique works much better. I have to confess that I was not very seduced by the Osmium... Thanks Ken for the report! Fx
Osmium watch
I think the Osmium dial is something which must be seen in the metal. With the lights playing and reflecting off its dial.
Nice lunch and report Ken!
It seems like all is busy at HQ... 18,000 parts... I want to see that, it must have more parts than a car! The Vitral is not really my taste, but the Osmium really is a cool watch! The material is really unique and it is great to see Hublot back with new ...
