Despite its classical appearance, the Arceau watch designed by Henri d’Origny loves playing the transformation game. Its round case topped by asymmetrical stirrup-shaped lugs welcomes a wealth of remarkable and demanding artistic crafts. Embellished by engraving and miniature painting, its timeless yet singular aesthetic becomes an object of Hermès creativity and expertise.
Two exclusive interpretations reveal a decorative world that is at times fantasy-tinged and at others futuristic, inspired by the Chorus Stellarum silk scarf designed by Daiske Nomura. The characters - dashing skeleton riders astride their noble steeds - are embodied in mobile yellow gold appliques, engraved and painted by hand. Driven by a spring mechanism linked to the 9 o’clock pusher, these gothic vanities swing into action at the flick of a thumb in a smooth “on-demand impulse” animation that sees them prance around a gilded constellation created using the champlevé technique. Like a celestial painting, this new zodiac featuring symbols subtly borrowed from the Émile Hermès collection reveals the equestrian skies in a dazzling canvas of colourful lacquer-coated motifs, enhanced by applied rhodium-plated stars.
These combined forms of craftsmanship reinterpret the festive and esoteric theme of celebrating the passing of time, conceptualised by the Japanese illustrator who revels in staging and diverting various Hermès emblems, associating them with contemporary cartoon, manga and gaming culture.
This alliance of art, relief and radiance is highlighted by a slender white gold case measuring 41 mm in diameter, set with 70 diamonds on the version adorned with a skeleton horsewoman. Beating at the heart of the case, the Manufacture Hermès Hermès H1837 movement – complete with its fine finishing and the ‘sprinkling of Hs’ motif adorning its bridges and oscillating weight – can be admired through the sapphire crystal case-back. A matt abyss blue or pearl grey alligator strap highlights the vibrant colours of these two watches, each issued in numbered limited series of six.
