Watch Paparazzi

Artist Takashi Murakami spotted wearing Hublot

Takashi Murakami was photographed wearing the Hublot Classic Fusion All Black Ceramic reference 507.CX.9000.RX.TAK21, the limited-edition timepiece he co-created with the Swiss manufacture — a piece that blurs the line between wearable sculpture and mechanical watchmaking.

The ref. 507.CX.9000.RX.TAK21 is built on Hublot's 45mm Classic Fusion case executed entirely in black ceramic, a material Hublot has championed since the original All Black concept launched in 2006. The case, bezel, crown, and bracelet all share the same monochromatic treatment, lending the watch a monolithic visual weight. The defining feature is the centrally mounted rotating smiling flower — the artist's trademark motif — which functions as a kinetic dial element. Surrounding it, 456 black diamonds are factory-set across the bezel and dial, delivering approximately 3 carats of stones without breaking the all-black chromatic discipline. Inside sits the HUB1110 self-winding calibre, offering a 42-hour power reserve.

Limited to just 200 pieces worldwide, the collaboration sits within a broader Murakami-Hublot dialogue that began gaining momentum as luxury brands increasingly sought credibility within contemporary art culture. Hublot has partnered with artists before, but the Murakami edition carries particular collector weight given his standing in both the fine art market and streetwear-adjacent luxury — a crossover audience that drives secondary market premiums disproportionate to retail.

Murakami, known professionally as @takashipom, is no passive brand ambassador here. He is the creative origin of the watch's central element, and seeing him wear the piece publicly affirms an authentic relationship with the object rather than a purely transactional endorsement. For collectors, provenance of inspiration matters, and this sighting adds a layer of cultural narrative to the reference.

At a UK list price of £20,000 — approximately $25,000 USD — the 507.CX.9000.RX.TAK21 sits at the premium end of the Classic Fusion range. With only 200 examples produced and secondary market demand for Murakami-branded collectibles showing consistent strength, grey market values have tracked above retail since release. Buyers chasing this reference should move with intention.