Hermès showcases three timepieces at the Watches and Wonders 2022 event. With the Arceau Le Temps Voyageur, the Arceau Les folies du ciel, and the Kelly, the watchamker presents pieces that were quick to create headlines. While the Arceau Le Temps Voyageur highlights the spirit of travel, the Kelly explores a distinctive take on timepieces for women. Let's explore.
Arceau Le Temps Voyageur
The Arceau Le Temps Voyageur is available in platinum and titanium or steel. Its round case with asymmetrical lugs give it a distic look that quickly catches your attention. Its 'travelling time' mechanism. developed exclusively for Hermès, provides a disc-type display of 24 time zones. The satellite gravitates on a fantasy map, imagined by Jérôme Colliard for the 'Planisphère d'un monde équestre' silk scarf.
A 122-component module measuring just 4.4mm thick drives the mobile counter and the home time indication at 12 o'clock. This module has been integrated with the Hermès H1837 mechanical self-winding movement. The mechanism powers the hours, minutes, and dual-time display with city indication. The first Arceau Le Temps Voyageur model is a 41mm platinum version with a matte black DLC-treated titanium bezel, while the second version features a 38mm steel case.
The platinum and titanium model is available with a matte graphite alligator strap, a black Barénia calfskin strap, or a Slate grey Swift calfskin strap. The steel model can be paired with smooth sapphire blue alligator strap or a navy blue Swift calfskin strap. The Manufacture Hermès H1837 movement drives the two models, achieving a power reserve of around 40 hours.
Arceau Les folies du ciel
Arceau Les folies du ciel is a tribute to the pioneers who thought the man could fly one day. The Arceau Les folies du ciel brings together painting, engraving, and animation to create a distinc composition, inspired by Loïc Dubigeon's Les folies du ciel silk scarf motif, designed in 1984 to honour aerostatics.
The timepiece features a 38mm white gold case and has been powered by a Manufacture Hermès movement - H1837, delivering a power reserve of around 50 hours. On a mother-of-pearl dial, two neoralite pink and green hot-air balloons bulge out a litte. Each surface has been hand polished to render a radiant sheen. The two balloons are attached to a hand-painted white gold gondola in the shape of a bird. At 12 o'clock is a hand-painted and applied animated balloon, designed as a balance. The numbered 24-piece limited edition watch has been paired with a Chantilly alligator strap.
Kelly
Created in 1975, the Kelly watch derives its padlock shape from the iconic handbag designed by Robert Dumas in the 1930s. This timepiece can also be worn as a necklace by slipping into a black boxcalf or smooth alligator clochette secured to a leather cordlet.
There are five interpretations of this timepiece - in steel, in rose gold, with or without diamond setting and features a mother-of-pearl or spangled white-lacquered dial. The rose gold case fearures an anti-glare sapphire crystal and caseback and is water resistant upto 30 metres. It has been paired with a rose gold bracelet, which is set with either 1,161 diamonds or 221 diamonds. The steel model can be paired with a steel bracelet, an all-metal bracelet, or a bracelet set with 221 diamonds.