By Kien Lee
With the new Arceau Le temps voyageur timepiece, the Hermès journey continues towards new dreamlike horizons, where time takes on a singular dimension. Borders are blurred, movement is light and joyful. The hours of the world are an invitation to experience ubiquity – here or elsewhere – as the spirit takes flight, free and borne on the wings of dreams.
Both classic and original, the Arceau line designed by Henri d'Origny in 1978 lends itself to a new expression of style, evoking the spirit of travel according to Hermès. A great escape beyond the basic: the discovery of an unreal world where borders are erased.
The new Arceau Le temps voyageur now offers in addition, a "Travelling time" complication integrated within the Hermès H1837 mechanical self-winding movement. This allows the wearer to track time across two different time zones.
A stylistic, functional and spiritual interpretation of a classic haute horlogerie complication, the unique "Travelling time" mechanism developed exclusively for Hermès displays 24 time zones by means of a circular disc. The mobile counter and the home-time indication at 12 o’clock are driven by an exclusive 122-component module, housed in a thickness of just 4.4 mm and integrated within the Hermès H1837 mechanical self-winding movement. The mechanism as a whole powers the display of hours, minutes and a dual-time display with city indication.
On the dial, a gravitating counter journeys across continents, moving from city to city, flying over time zones. As it travels, the face of the watch is transformed, opening up whole new dimensions. The satellite gravitates on a fantasy map created by Jérôme Colliard for the Planisphere d’un monde équestre silk scarf. A metaphor of the ties between horses and the House of Hermès, this design was inspired by a giant globe created by the French graphic designer for the 2016 Saut Hermès showjumping competition in Paris. This unique interpretation invites you to travel through the imaginary universe of Hermès:
Against an intense black, deep blue or white mother-of-pearl background, the continents and meridians of this dreamlike universe stand out in relief and depth, adorned with subtle finishes: lacquered, openworked, sandblasted, sunburst, transferred or powdered silver-toned.
Arceau Le temps voyageur comes in 3 models. The first is in 41 mm, in a platinum case that has been enhanced by a matt black DLC-treated titanium bezel.
The second is a 38 mm size in all-steel, with a this that is white and enhanced for the ladies with 78 diamonds.
The pieces are paired with alligator or Swift calfskin straps secured by a pin buckle and crafted in the Hermès Horloger workshops in accordance with the saddlery and leatherwork expertise cultivated by the House.
