Despite its classical appearance, the Hermes 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.

This exclusive interpretation reveals 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.

This alliance of art, relief and radiance is highlighted by a slender white gold case measuring 41 mm in diameter. 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 alligator strap highlights the vibrant colours of this watch issued in numbered limited series of six.