Hermès has a fantastic gift to combine watchmaking and poetry. Here is an outstanding work made on a 41 mm-diameter Arceau watch: 2,200 tiny juxtaposed leather squares form a horse profile inspired by the Hermès “Robe du Soir” silk scarf designed by Florence Manlik in 2018. Set against an electric blue backdrop and matching strap, the colourful fragments are lit up by the rose gold glow of the round case with its asymmetrical lugs and slim leaf-type hands. This horological creation imbued with the Hermès saddle- and leather-making heritage is issued in a 12-piece limited numbered edition.
Hermès has year after year celebrated watchmaking craftsmanship with a specific focus on dials. Very often the French luxury house developed its own techniques, some of them carefully built in order to bring true wonders. For the Arceau Robe du Soir, it took a full year and a half of R&D to master the technique allowing to decorate the watch dial. It is a true miniature work of art composed of thousands of variously colored leather squares. A real work of mosaic. No less than 3’500 tesserae are cut out from the finest selected full-grain calfskin. This means, according to the brand, no less than 2’200 leather little squares that compose the equestrian motif picked up from the Hermès Robe du Soir silk scarf.
The Hermès Arceau is an iconic watch from the brand collection. It was originally designed by Henri d’Origny in person in 1978. The recognizable round case with its stirrup-inspired asymmetrical lugs translate all the classicism of this watch. In this new “mosaic” version, we rediscover the Arceau line through a different angle. This new rose gold Arceau and its amazing dial has an unique style with vibrant colors. The horse with its vivid hues stands out beautifully against the electric blue background. Let’s underline the fact that the watch bracelet follows this same shade. The watch case contains a self-winding Manufacture Hermès movement that can be admired through the sapphire crystal back-case. In order to acquire one of this model, you will need to run fast as there will only be 12 units produced as a very exclusive limited edition. Here are the technical detailed specs of this watch:
MOVEMENT
- Manufacture Hermès H1837 movement Mechanical self-winding
- Swiss made Diameter: 26 mm
- Thickness: 3.7 mm
- Power reserve: 50 hours
- Number of jewels: 28
- Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour / 4Hz
- Decoration: Mainplate with circular-grained and snailed finishing,
bridges and oscillating weight satin-brushed and adorned with
‘sprinkling of Hs’, Hermès Paris engraving - Functions: Hours, minutes
CASE
- Shape / Size: Round, 41 mm diameter
- Material: Rose gold
- Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment Water resistant: 3 bar
DIAL
- Leather mosaic. Motif inspired by a Hermès silk scarf designed by Florence Manlik
BUCKLE
- Rose gold pin buckle
STRAP
- Electric blue Swift calf skin
Hermès watchmaking approach is pretty unique. Rather than focusing on trying to control and measure time in all sorts of ways, Hermès explores a different approach. The French luxury house develops a whole universe made of emotions, always trying to surprise us with unparalleled attachment to details and a beautiful story. With Arceau Robe du Soir, We have this continuous pursuit of state of the art craftsmanship that allows Hermès to out-stand in such a competitive market.
Arsène Wargas
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