Hermes Arceau Cheval Cosmique

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For Watches & Wonders 2020, Hermes prepared again some spectacular pieces. An example of the brand’s exceptional expertise is the Hermes Arceau Cheval Cosmique. The Henri d’Origny’s Arceau is enriched now with an exceptional metiers d’art depicting horse motives.

The dial of the Arceau watch is adorned with a silhouette of a horse and waves in engraved gold, set against an aventurine or mother-of-pearl and enamel background and paired with an abyss blue or Chantilly alligator strap.

The Arceau watch designed by Henri d’Origny in 1978 lends its sober yet singular allure to a new expression of Hermès creativity and expertise. Imagined by artist Gianpaolo Pagni, the “Cheval Cosmique” composition combines graphic undulations with the silhouette of a horse from Émile Hermès’ private collection. This singular interpretation is transposed here in relief, on a dial in aventurine or mother-of-pearl and enamel: a splendid trotting horse and a wavy motif hand-engraved in white gold.

To create just one example of this miniature artwork, the artisan works for almost a week on a gold plate less than half a centimetre thick. First, by engraving the waves and accentuating them with a fine black lacquer; and then, by fixing this engraving in place on the dial before covering the surrounding area with aventurine or enamel and mother-of-pearl. Finally, the beautifully engraved horse is put in place, setting the perfect final touch to this creation.

The Arceau Cheval Cosmique watch is produced in two limited series of 24 each. The first, in white gold, displays its equestrian motif at the heart of a dial featuring deep shades of aventurine enhanced by an abyss-blue alligator strap. The second, in white gold set with diamonds, frames a luminous dial in mother-of-pearl and enamel, highlighted by a Chantilly alligator strap. The new Arceau with its hours and minutes display is powered by a mechanical self-winding movement which, like the dial, case and bracelet, is developed in the Hermès Horloger workshops.