WATCHES: ARTFUL PARTNERSHIP The Classic Fusion Orlinski from Hublot is a testament to artistry and craftsmanship
Hublot’s recent creation of the Classic Fusion Orlinski is an amalgamation of art and articulate watchmaking techniques using the highest quality of materials
Inspired by renowned artist Richard Orlinski, famous for his brightly coloured pop-art style multifaceted beasts including the Wild Kong gorilla sculpture and his crocodiles in the sunshine of the Miami Design District through to his 5-metre-tall bear on the snowy pistes of Courchevel, Hublot has released the Classic Fusion Orlinski, a collection as unmissable as his artworks.
In 2004, Richard decided to dedicate himself to art, mainly pop culture. The artist created a world of his own filled with bright colours, wild animals, and iconic objects central to their time. Driven by the desire to democratise art and make it accessible to the masses, Richard is a passionate creator who has had to go through obstacles that have made him push through his limits and consistently reinventing himself as an artist. The collaboration with Hublot, he believes, is a dynamic sharing of ideas that has been established and the desire to challenge conventional methods of creation by both parties.
Playing with light and shade, the Classic Fusion Orlinski series is sculpted in the aesthetic signature of Richard’s, including its faceted dial. Designed for all the watch connoisseurs as well as enthusiasts, the 40mm case is available in titanium and King Gold, transforming the piece into an objet d’art set with its brilliant-cut diamonds.
Having previously partnered together for the creation of the Aerofusion Chronograph and Tourbillon, the artistic and technological alliance between Hublot and Richard Orlinski has been further strengthen through six pieces of the Classic Fusion Orlinski. This series has been designed
THE Artist Created A world OF His Own Filled with bright Colours, wild Animals, And iconic Objects Central TO Their Time
and developed to satisfy a range of a smaller, and new clientele circle. Symbolising the characteristic folds in his often-monumental works, edges, bevels, and facets have been miniaturised with horological precision to create mirror effects on the dial. The understated strap in matte black rubber creates an arresting contrast, all the more pronounced on four of the six models whose diamond-set cases create a jewellery effect.
On four of the timepieces, the bezel—a dodecagon that has characterised the creative partnership since 2017—is set with 54 diamonds and sits on a case that is either fully set with 210 diamonds or partially set with 112 diamonds. Free from precious stones, the other two watches exude a more subtle light, with the accent on the pure lines, the graduated light and shade of the materials, and the sharp-angled forms characteristic of Richard Orlinski’s sculptures.
A lover of all kinds of art and an advocate of accessibility, Richard expresses himself by creating intelligent works and installs them in an open-sky setting for the world to see.
He works to decompartmentalise the modes of artistic expression and challenge convention. As the creative force behind these six Classic Fusion Orlinski watches, here he addresses new audiences, women and lovers of timeless stones or sculpture. In his mind, it makes more sense to wear art on the wrist as jewellery.
in His mind, it makes more sense TO wear ART On THE wrist As jewellery