Shrinking an Hermès silk scarf into a watch dial? The new Hermès Arceau Cheval Natté watch weaves nearly 400 silk threads with so much creativity
A miniature work of art on your wrist
Summary
- The dial is crafted from nearly 400 silk threads combined with 123 diamonds to form a three-dimensional geometric horse-head profile.
- The motif comes from a geometric design that designer Tong Ren originally created for a home accessory.
- It is equipped with the Hermès in-house H1912 self-winding movement, offering a 50-hour power reserve.
- Available in two colorways: one bright and colorful, the other in deep black, red, and brown, each limited to 24 pieces.
Hermès’ new designs always catch the eye at first glance with their keen sensitivity to materials. This time, rather than focusing on complex mechanical functions, the brand brings together its signature silk threads and watchmaking craftsmanship. The new Arceau Cheval Natté watch precisely fits a miniature textile full of vibrant color into a 38 mm dial.
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Miniaturizing home decor for the wrist
The Arceau watch’s distinctive, elegant silhouette has been a Hermès signature ever since Henri d’Origny created it in 1978. The geometric horse-head motif on this dial was originally conceived by designer Tong Ren for home accessories.
Artisans have cleverly scaled down the originally large motif to fit within the dial’s small surface. Geometric lines in champlevé enamel depict a playful horse, giving the dial a strong artistic feel.
The contrast between soft silk threads and hard diamonds
This watch’s most captivating detail is its nearly 400 carefully selected silk threads. Artisans arrange each thread in a precise direction, creating a sense of movement while giving the dial rich, relief-like dimension as the light shifts. The soft silk contrasts sharply with the 123 shimmering diamonds on the dial, making each glance at the time feel like taking in a work of art.
Two distinct styles, each limited to 24 pieces
The Arceau Cheval Natté comes in two distinctly different styles. One retains the original design’s bright, colorful palette and is paired with a matte dune-colored alligator strap; the other takes on subdued black, red, and brown tones with a black strap for a more intense look. Both watches are powered by Hermès’ in-house H1912 self-winding movement, with a 38 mm rose-gold case and diamond-set bezel complementing one another.
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