Consistently considered one of the world’s most valuable luxury brands, Hermès is still a family business with a flair for producing exquisite products. Hermès is known for its premium leather goods and silk scarves and you might be surprised to know that Hermès watch sales are at a record high. Creativity, craftsmanship and a unique and often bizarre spirit characterize all of the brand’s products, including the watches. True to its origins as a supplier of high-quality saddles and harnesses in the early 19th century, the Maison loves equestrian motifs. Arceau’s latest 38mm Mon Premier Galop watch is a joyful interpretation of a scarf designed for the brand by Chinese-born artist and illustrator Tong Ren.
Hermès has selected a 38mm white gold Arceau model with 82 brilliant-cut diamonds in the bezel to house this miniature work of art. Designed in 1978 by Hermès’ celebrated artistic director Henri d’Origny, the Arceau is the brand’s most equestrian-inspired watch with its signature bow-shaped lugs.
Tong Ren’s cashmere and silk scarf depicts a horse taking its first steps in the sand accompanied by a butterfly. The delightful composition is almost naive in its depiction, revealing Tong Ren’s appreciation for simple lines, block colors and the texture of finely woven wicker baskets. To recreate the motif on the dial, Hermès combined various artistic techniques.
The light blue sky and sun are created layer by layer of enamel, while the horse’s body is a patchwork of silk threads and leather inlay. The silk threads depicted on the scarf, the silk threads used on the horse’s body, the blue billowing clouds and the sand dunes reproduce the texture of the wicker baskets, adding volume and movement to the composition. Leather stones cut to a thickness of just 0.5mm enliven the composition with pops of color, including the brand’s signature bright orange. Two hand-painted gold applications depicting a butterfly and a moving flower further enhance the scenery.
On the back is the Hermès H1912 caliber from Vaucher in Fleurier (Hermès has held a 25% stake in the manufacture since 2006). This high-quality automatic movement operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour, has a power reserve of up to 50 hours and is decorated with “H” motifs on the bridges and rotor.
Availability and price
Presented on a supple, grained Hermès Swift calfskin strap in zephyr blue, the Arceau Mon Premier Galop is a limited edition of 24 pieces. The watch costs retail 85,000 euros. For more information, visit Hermes.com.
https://monochrome-watches.com/introducing-delightful-horse-cantering-on-the-dial-of-the-hermes-arceau-mon-premier-galop-specs-price/
