The brain behind the magic is Henri d’Origny, the design maestro from Hermès. He designed the Arceau in ’78 with stirrup-shaped lugs and numerals that look like they’re ready to gallop off the dial. This time, they’ve dialed it up to ten with the Arceau Costume de Fête. The piece takes its visual motifs and inspiration from a Polish wedding scene based on a silk scarf by Jan Bajtlik.
Leather marquetry gets in the game, crafting the horse’s head and front legs. Super thin leather bits, 0.5mm thick, are slapped onto the dial. Then, the artist zooms in, painting micro-details on the horse’s harness. Shiny sequins are stitched with copper wire, and there’s a dash of colorful mosaic tiles too.
The watch is available in white or rose gold, rocking 82 diamonds on the bezel. The dial’s a riot of colors – pink, beige, orange for white gold, and blue, green, pink for rose gold. Strapped up in Sakura pink or Electric blue calfskin, the Hermes Arceus is a conversation starter and stopper.
Flip to its reverse side, and you’ll spot the Hermès H1912 calibre. Made by Vaucher in Fleurier, it moves at 28,800 vibrations per hour. This powerhouse stores 50 hours of reserve and flaunts slick ‘H’ motifs on the bridges and rotor.
Only 24 pieces of these handcrafted timepieces are available. It will set you back RM 350,000 in rose gold, and RM 360,000 in white gold. For more details, visit Hermes.
