Hermès covers all the bases with four new introductions, including a new GMT movement, an unusual ladies’ model with a hammered case, and an out-of-this-world take on the award-winning moon phase watch L’heure de la Lune.
The Slim d’Hermès GMT (US$19,675 or about RM84,818 is available in September) stands out as an aesthetically unique interpretation of the GMT function. The slim, already barely-there font, which is proprietary to Hermès and was created for the Slim model, is further obscured by a layer of smoked glass over the hour ring. In a second instance of semi-obscurity, the numerals on the GMT second time zone subdial are arranged seemingly randomly rather than peripherally on an outer ring. Fortunately, each of the hands magically lines up with each numeral, leaving no question as to the time. The H and L refer to local and home times, showing light or dark for night and day indication in a dot underneath each. The watch contains the ultra-slim Hermès-made movement H-1950 with a new GMT module. The 18-karat red gold or palladium case is 39.5 mm wide and 9.48 mm thick and comes on a matte abyss-blue alligator. It is priced at US$19,675 in gold and US$14,775 (or about RM63,695) in palladium.
Another highlight are the new versions of Hermès’ exceptional moon phase model. Arceau L’heure de la Lune was a hit when it launched at the SIHH last year in Geneva, and went on to take the Calendar and Astronomy Watch price in the 2019 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. The unique double mother-of-pearl moon phases (for northern and southern hemispheres) are now displayed against a background of exotic meteorite. The star is a Martian meteorite dial (limited to two, price upon request) that is slightly green in colour, which on the one hand is surprising, since Mars is always depicted as red because of its iron-oxide rich surface. The subdials for time and date on this one are white lacquer.
Other dial options include a Black Sahara meteorite with silver-lacquered subdials (US$54,100 or about RM233,225, limited to 36), Lunar meteorite with crystal-effect gradient brown-lacquered subdials (US$43,000 or about RM185,373, limited to 36), Blue Pearl with gradient-grey lacquered subdials (US$33,200 or about RM143,125) and Lapis Lazuli with white-lacquered sundials (US$33,200).
The moon phase at 12 o’clock, as seen from the southern hemisphere, is adorned with a Pegasus, the winged horse that, according to Hermès, “hints at the passage between two worlds, where magic and reality merge.” The moon at 6 o’clock showing the view from the northern hemisphere is printed to resemble a moon surface.
The movement is the Hermès Manufacture H1837 with a proprietary moon phase module housed inside an 18-karat white gold or platinum case.
Hermès took to the jeweller’s bench to highlight the distinctive square-within-a-rectangle case of the new quartz Cape Cod model. The Cape Cod Martlée (French for a hammer-like tool) has a stainless steel case that has hammered design to create interesting light and shadows and give it a unique patinated look. The dial is also hammered and then coated with a layer of translucent lacquer in graded shades ranging from anthracite to black. Each piece has its own unique look. Even the chaîne d’ancre (anchor chain) half-links that attach the strap to the case are hammered. The watch comes with a Barenia calfskin strap that can be either single (US$3,625 or about RM15,627) or double wrap (US$3,775 or about RM16,274).
The Cheval Cosmique is a mètiers piece celebrating the brand’s signature horse motif, a reference to the company’s roots as a saddler for the carriage trade in 19th century Paris. The engraving on the dial, based on a design created by artist Gianpaolo Pagni, represents the silhouette of a horse from a work of art in the private collection of Emile Hermès, grandson of the company’s founder. Each depiction of the horse takes a week to engrave.
The dials are either aventurine or mother-of-pearl and enamel with a diamond bezel. Each is a limited edition of 24 pieces. The movement is the automatic H1912. Prices on request.
