Doing something totally different that doesn’t smack of attempting too exhausting is admittedly powerful on this planet of watch design. In 1978, Henri D’Origny did simply that. And the Hermès Arceau Petite Lune is the proper expression of that genius.
A Basic Reborn
The Hermès Arceau household of watches is thought for 3 issues: its asymmetrical lugs, its sloping dial, and its slanted Arabic numerals, that are supposed to speak the pace of a galloping horse. The latter purpose is the whimsical justification of a chic typeface (properly utilized right here by means of powered switch); the second improves legibility however does little to change the head-on character of the watch; the previous, nonetheless, is an absolute masterstroke of design.
Not solely does it give the Hermès Arceau watches a singular silhouette, however it additionally ensures a comfortable match to the wrist. This lug type is especially helpful for Hermès’ bigger, extra difficult watches because it retains them wearable. The Hermès Arceau Petite Lune is probably not the most important watch from the French model, however at 38mm for a women timepiece, it isn’t essentially the most diminutive both.
With the discharge of the Hermès Arceau Petite Lune, the Arceau assortment will get a model new watch that widens the goal demographic by decreasing the diameter however not the extent of horological curiosity. It’s good to see a model that’s too typically dismissed as a style model dig in its heels and launch such a tasteful and mechanically attention-grabbing watch.
Spoiled for Selection
This new launch sees a completely new dial launched alongside two case choices and a wealth of alternatives to decorate your new timepiece. The silvery, opaline dial is in stark, muted distinction to the much more overtly female mom of pearl we’ve seen earlier than. In the event you have a look at this dial actually, actually intently, you’ll be capable of see that it’s adorned with little tiny flecks of silver that catch the sunshine. I’ve not had this watch on my wrist, however I’d wager it could give out some critical sparkle.
The stainless-steel case is obtainable in two kinds — both polished or set with 70 diamonds, amounting to a complete carat weight of zero.81. As soon as that call has been made, you’ll be offered with a cavalcade of leather-based bands to select from. I’m not kidding — there are ten choices: matte alligator in both etoupe or Chantilly, or polished alligator in ultraviolet, sapphire blue, black, elephant grey, raspberry, orange, ember alligator, and polished black currant alligator. It pays to be thorough, I suppose.
The Hermès Arceau Petite Lune is powered by the manufacture caliber H1837. Options embrace a modular moon section complication and a date, indicated by way of the 6 o’clock sub-dial. The pointer date is a pleasant contact. It permits the dial to stay balanced and for all of the typography to stay on the identical web page, because it have been. A date window may need damaged up the tranquil, female dial, and made proceedings unnecessarily masculine.
The Man on the Moon
Unquestionably, the star of this present is the cheeky little moon face that may be seen pouting on the world from the press pictures included on this article. It is a direct name again to an Hermès scarf named “Acte III, Scène I, la Clairière…” This explicit fashion of moon face was designed by Franco-German artist Édouard Baribeaud, who was overtly impressed by Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Evening’s Dream.
Conclusion
The brand new Hermès Arceau Petite Lune is a constructive addition to an already broad assortment. Releases of this nature actually underpin the model’s need to be taken significantly as a watchmaker. And it’s about time. Hermès has been producing high quality watches, typically with high-level issues, for years.
One of many nicest issues about this new launch for me is the actual fact it’s in stainless-steel. It is smart from the model’s perspective, however it does have the look of a watch that might very properly have been conceived in white gold (particularly with the addition of the diamond bezel). In consequence, the present Hermès Arceau Petite Lune with a mom of pearl dial retails for $eight,600 with out diamonds and $18,350 with. It’s anticipated that pricing for the brand new fashions will probably be comparable when they’re accessible in September. Study extra at hermes.com.
