Hermès Arceau Petite Lune watch showcases the beauty of universe
The Hermès Arceau Petite Lune timepiece takes us on an otherworldly escapade.
The relationship between Hermès and the equestrian world is inseparable. Founded in 1837 by Thierry Hermès, the Maison was built upon the craftsmanship of saddles and harnesses. Over time, the business evolved and diversified to encompass sixteen métiers, underpinned by an unchanging philosophy: freedom to create, the constant quest for beautiful materials and the transmission of exceptional know-how. The brand’s faithful artisanal model and its humanist values drive and nurture the creation of elegant Hermès objects that stand the test of time.
Echoing the spirit of the House, the Arceau watch was born in 1978 from the imagination of the legendary Artistic Director of Hermès, Henri d’Origny. Defined by an asymmetrical form with stirrup-inspired lugs, the Arceau has served as a versatile canvas for Hermès over the years to express its creativity and innovation, along with its playful and lighthearted design attitude, known as le gout Hermès.
The “lune” theme and moonphase are not foreign to the Arceau — with Arceau L’Heure De La Lune, Arceau Grande Lune and Arceau Petite Lune, enjoying an extrapolated lunar trajectory. With the latest reinvention, the refined Arceau Petite Lune was met with admiration when it made an ethereal entrance this year. Looking singular in a round white gold case of 38 mm in diameter, its gem-set bezel lounges delicately against the watch’s stirrup detail.
Hermès has created an entire astral mise en scène on the new Arceau Petite Lune’s dial, sculpted from aventurine, mother-of-pearl, aragonite and opal, and framed by a halo of 70 diamonds. What strikes visually is the relief and depth seen on the dial, executed by the meticulous workmanship to gently coax the aventurine into translucence and the mother-of-pearl into shimmering iridescence akin to the Northern Lights. Against the luminescent night sky, this celestial body of moon and stars shine pretty bright: freshwater mother-of-pearl moon, aragonite planet, opaline star and a constellation of five diamonds.
To power this dreamlike galactic interpretation, the Manufacture Hermès H1837 self-winding movement, with a 42-hour power reserve, gets the system ticking and moving — hour and minute displays, including the super discreet embedded moon phase module between 10 and 11 o’clock. Perfecting this beautifully blue cosmic landscape is a matching-hued sapphire-blue alligator strap, crafted also in the Hermès Horloger workshops.
