From Hermès, a whimsical moonphase complication watch
Also, a sleek women’s timepiece inspired by equestrian motifs
An offbeat expression of a classic horological complication, the Arceau L’heure de la Lune watch offers an original interpretation of Hermès watchmaking expertise.
Framed by a white gold case, the mechanics adopt a light, barely there role. Meteorite or aventurine inlaid with motherof-pearl form a cosmos in which satellite dials float above hemispherical moons.
The horse, representing the origins of Hermès, gallops elegantly into the world of dreams.
At 12 o’clock, the moon is adorned by a Pegasus created by the “dreamer designer” Dimitri Rybaltchenko.
Titled “Pleine Lune (Full Moon),” this portrayal of the winged horse hints at a passage between two worlds, where magic and reality merge.
At 6 o’clock, the view of the moon from the northern hemisphere provides a realistic depiction of its surface.
The mobile counters displaying the time and date turn weightlessly to reveal the moon discs, while maintaining their horizontal orientation. This contemporary dance is choreographed by a module exclusively developed for Hermès and for which a patent has been filed.
With a total thickness of just 4.2 mm, its 117 polished and bead-blasted components are incorporated within the Manufacture Hermès H1837 movement: a technical challenge designed to preserve the slenderness of the overall mobile chassis, which sweeps around the dial in 59 days.
The Arceau case with its asymmetrical lugs, designed by
Henri d’origny in 1978, becomes a lunar crater made of meteorite stone or aventurine, while the lacquered dials, gravitating like satellites, display Arabic numerals with a distinctive sloping font.
This Haute Horlogerie timepiece is issued in two 100-piece limited editions, and fitted with a matte alligator strap in graphite gray or abyss blue.
Meanwhile, Galop d’hermès was born of Ini Archibong’s detailed observations of bits, stirrups and harnesses in the Conservatoire des créations Hermès.
The designer drew inspiration from every object and component of the harness collections. He grasped their ingenuity, technicality, perfect balance, avant-garde nature—and thus their beauty.
Aerodynamic curves, functional purity, kinetic flow—galop d’hermès also stems from work on light.
Day and night defined the shape of this object. The corners are blurred, the ergonomics are perfect, nothing jars the eye. Light is reflected in the curves, warming the metal and suffusing the shapes with vibrancy.
Through the domed sapphire crystal, it exalts the gentleness of the dial.
“More than a piece of jewelry and more than a watch, Galop d’hermès is a style object devoid of any formalism. It is freespirited, witty and passionate,” said Philippe Delhotal, design and development director, Hermès Horloger.
Hermes is at Greenbelt 3, Makati City