3 New Hermes Timepieces To Covet

Unveiled at the “Crafting Time” exhibition that recently ended its second successful run at Hermès Faubourg last week, these three new exceptional pieces stole the limelight effortlessly, thanks to their intriguing designs and extraordinary attention to detail. Here we bring you the lowdown on these Hermes timepieces and why you will (and should be) coveting them.

Arceau Pocket Ailes et Ecailles



This horological timepiece is a limited edition of only two numbered pieces, and for a good reason. A delicate combination of scarab and beetle elytra marquetry with engraving and enamel painting, the watch is a true testament to the French House’s dedication to artistry and craftsmanship.



But no masterpiece was ever created by a lazy artisan. The watch’s journey begins with the engraver, who sketches out motifs inspired by a Hermes beach towel on a gold plate. Grand Feu enamelling – a notoriously difficult technique – then renders a vivid palette of blues and reds to the watch’s face. Here’s where it gets interesting. The watch is then handed over to a marquetry specialist, who individually adjusts carefully-cut fragments of beetle elytra (shell) that will become the scales of the fish, before being secured to the dial and fitted into a white gold case. The timepiece is powered by the Manufacture Hermes H1837 movement and is outfitted with an alligator cord strap and pouch, which will no doubt be of highest quality (because Hermes).

Specifications

Dimensions: 26 mm

Functions: Hours, minutes

Power Reserve: 50 hours

Movement: Mechanical self-winding, Swiss

Material: White gold

Water Resistance: 3 bar

Médor Serti Baguette



Difficult, we know, but don’t let the glitter and shine of those trapeze-cut diamonds fool you – beneath the Médor Serti Baguette’s sparkly façade lies a “secret” watch that is revealed by an invisible push-button. The watch, first created in 1993, is inspired by dog collars and horse harnesses that Hermes used to make, only this time, it’s smothered with 656 diamonds, including a Ceylon-cut diamond on its crown.

On its sapphire blue alligator strap sit three diamond pyramids that will undoubtedly leave the pharaohs of ancient Egypt very envious – if they were not already quite posthumous. Constructed with an invisible setting technique, the white diamonds – each individually cut – are arranged in a mesh pattern that not only highlight their cleanly cut angles, but also give a smooth gemstone surface, creating a dance of light above its square white gold case. Inside, a quartz calibre drives the hours and minutes hands.

Specifications

Dimensions: 23.3 mm

Functions: Hours, minutes

Movement: Quartz, Swiss made

Material: White gold set with 312 baguette-cut diamonds and crown set with 1 Ceylon-cut diamond; White gold pyramids set with 218 baguette-cut diamonds

Water Resistance: 3 bar

Strap: Smooth sapphire blue alligator

Médor Secrète



Dripping with opulence, the Médor Secrète sees not three, but 10 white diamond-set pyramids encircling the entirety of the timepiece, which lies quietly beneath the largest of them all. Like the Médor Serti Baguette, this timepiece is also referenced from the pointed studs on dog collars and harnesses that Hermes used to create.



Housed within a case of white gold, the watch’s 4,379 diamonds (and one sapphire) amounts to a staggering 13 carats. The discreet watch, which houses a quartz movement, is revealed when a special push-button is pressed to unlock its lid.

Specifications

Functions: Hours, minutes

Movement: Quartz, Swiss made

Material: White gold, snow-set with 505 diamonds

Water Resistance: 3 bars

Strap: White gold, snow-set with 3,873 diamonds and 1 sapphire

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