Hermès has no shortage of beautifully designed watches but one watch, in particular, that designed by the legendary Hermès artistic director Henri d’Origny has stood the test of time. Its name: Arceau.
Even though it has been 40 years since d’Origny first designed the Arceau, the watch looks as contemporary as today as it did back in 1978.
Exhibiting an air of mystery, the Arceau Squelett is a wonderfully crafted watch featuring a 40mm round steel case with an asymmetrical stirrup-shaped lug, along with its sloping font evoking a galloping horse.
At the center of it is a skeleton movement that immediately captures your attention when you first lay eyes on it. Often times skeleton styled watches look impressive on the outside but are hard to read practically due to their translucent nature and design.
Hermès must have realised this and employed some clever tricks to showcase the elegance and beauty of the Arceau Squelett’s ticking mechanical heart without sacrificing legibility.
Using a deep black gradient on the chapter ring, it is enhanced by a beaded minute circle and silvered numerals. This leaves the transparent centre clear and revealing the movement for all to see.
The slender hour and minute hands clearly point to the current time while Hermès signature Arabic numerals and minute dot markers are marked in silver.
The mechanical self-winding movement is complemented by a black alligator strap that is crafted by the brilliant artisans of Hermès Horloger. It has a power reserve of 42-hours.
Priced at EUR6,950 (MYR31,617), there is no denying that the Arceau Squelette is one of the most elegant and beautiful skeleton watches money can buy.
