Hermès Arceau Costume de Fête – A Fusion of Art and Horology

The Hermès Arceau Costume de Fête is a testament to the brand's deep-rooted equestrian heritage and its flair for artistic collaboration. Originating as a saddle and harness specialist in 1837, Hermès has seamlessly blended these motifs into its luxurious offerings. The latest Arceau model, known for its stirrup-shaped lugs, is inspired by a vibrant silk scarf designed by Polish artist Jan Batjlik. These watches embodies Hermès' tradition of transposing intricate scarf designs into the realm of watchmaking, showcasing a colorful, handcrafted dial that reflects the exuberance of Polish folk culture.

Aesthetics

The Arceau Costume de Fête dazzles with its detailed dial, a canvas for Hermès' métiers d’art. The dial depicts a scene from a Polish wedding, originally featured on Batjlik's silk scarf. It showcases the intricate art of leather marquetry, where 0.5mm thick leather pieces form the horse's head and front legs.

The dial is further enriched with sequins, copper wire, and colorful tesserae, adding to the festive theme. The floral motif on the left is created using glossy tiles on a sculpted metal base. There are 2 variants of 38mm white gold and rose gold, adorned with 82 diamonds on the bezel. The white gold version features a pink, beige, and orange palette with a Sakura pink calfskin strap.

The rose gold variant displays a blue, green, and pink scheme, complemented by an Electric blue calfskin strap.

These limited edition watches embody the essence of Hermès' luxury, available for the discerning few who seek a blend of artistic craftsmanship and sophisticated horology.

Movement

The heart of the Arceau Costume de Fête is the Hermès H1912 calibre. Produced by Vaucher in Fleurier, with Hermès holding a stake since 2006, this high-grade automatic movement operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour and boasts a 50-hour power reserve.The movement is a marvel of craftsmanship, adorned with ‘H’ motifs on the bridges and rotor, underscoring Hermès' commitment to elegance and precision.

Availability & Pricing

These are highly exclusive timepieces with only 24 pieces available in each gold variant. The Arceau Costume de Fête is priced at €65,000 (approximately CHF 64,000) for the rose gold version (ref. 403169WW00), and €70,000 (around CHF 69,000) for the white gold model (ref. 403453WW00).