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Press release: The Hermes Arceau 30th Anniversary Skeleton Limited Edition

Nov 26, 2008,08:37 AM
 

In Celebration of Arceau 30th Anniversary - 

Arceau Skeleton (Limited Edition)

 

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Arceau family, Hermès presents the “Arceau Skeleton” in a limited edition of 171 pieces in white gold, contributing through the precision of their calibres and nobility of the materials employed to a new expression of watch making virtuosity. 

Designed by the in-house designer Henri d’Origny in 1978, the Arceau collection is an elegant representation of the original source of inspiration of the brand: the equestrian world.  The originality of the design derives from the distinctive feature of a stirrup being extends to the upper lug of the watchcase, and asymmetrical ties secure a leather strap attached by a folding clasp.  The inclined numerals adopt a suggestive graphical display to mark the hours on the dial.  Both of these non-traditional design aspects bring a touch of humor to the watch, exemplifying the whimsical creativity that Hermès seeks out in the design of their products.

 

Arceau Skeleton

Bearing the imprint of excellence and authenticity, the transparency of the newly launched “Arceau Skeleton” reveals the beauty of a unique movement H1932 by Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier, in which each hand-crafted component is a testimony to the absolute harmony of technique and aesthetics.  Housed inside an asymmetrical 41mm watchcase, the mechanical self-winding movement is powered by a balance, oscillating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (of a frequency of 4 Hz), guaranteeing an extremely high level of precision.  The double-barrel system enables the accumulation of a power reserve of 55 hours.  Composed of 200 parts, the movement comprises 32 synthetic jewels serving as bearings for the various mobile parts of the watch.  The ceramic ball-bearing system is used to rotate the oscillating weight that winds automatically in a single, counter-clockwise direction.

It has been an object of passion and emotion.  The 22K  white gold oscillating weight is in a special stirrup decoration expressing the originality of its heritage.  The “Arceau Skeleton” is made in a limited edition of 171 models in white gold (the figure “171” corresponds in 2008 to the number of years of the founding year of the House since 1837), it is a superlative demonstration of expertise for collectors of rare models and devotees of fine watch making.

 

A Retrospective Look

Easily identifiable as a unique creation of the House, the Arceau collection is classic, elegant and timeless for the modern men and women.  The lady collection comes in different sizes and gold, as well as diamond version featuring a bezel set with Top Wesselton VVS full-cut diamonds in white or pink mother of pearl dial.  The Arceau in 43mm expresses a sense of sports elegance equips with a self-winding mechanical chronograph movement, while its classic version is in 41mm that reveals the date aperture at six o’clock.  All these features that underline its masculine character are fitted within a very thin case, while respecting Hermès’ classic, simple and elegant style that is devoid of ostentation.

 

Technical Specifications

 

Case                        41 mm in diameter

750 white gold

Movement            Hermès H1932, mechanical self-winding

                                Height: 3.5mm

Diameter: 25.6mm

Functions              Hours, minutes

Frequency              28,800 vibrations per hour/4Hz

Power Reserve      55 hours, series-coupled twin barrels

Components          200 parts

Jewels                     32 jewels

Crystal                   Glare proof sapphire crystal and case-back

Water resistant     50 meters

Special features   Dark grey guilloche skeleton dial

                                Arabic numerals with blued hands

                                Modern Skeleton movement

Skeleton oscillating weight in 22K white gold

reproducing the main decoration


More posts: Calibres

Comments: view entire thread

 

I like it...

 
 By: andrewG : November 27th, 2008-02:02
...I think hermes offer great value watches. Great cases too.

I can't believe I would live to hear...

 
 By: efftee : November 27th, 2008-02:56
...that Hermes made great value anything ha! But I'd have to say their watches are significantly below their usual over-inflated prices of things. There's a model, I forget its name now, that distort the linear display of time to make it seem like certain... 

The higher end Hermes watches are worth looking at

 
 By: SJX : November 27th, 2008-06:29
They are far, far from being inexpensive, they are as expensive as Hermes leathergoods, BUT they have substantial horological value in terms of construction and finish. The movements are Vaucher, the same folks who make the Richard Mille automatic calibre... 

I know what you mean

 
 By: efftee : November 27th, 2008-06:55
Relative to their leather goods, their watches are a bargain! Their belts cost the same as a lower-end watches, their bags can easily fetch as much as, if not more than, a higher-end one. And I noticed this is not a trend for Hermes but looks like Bylgari... 

from the single pic i can only say 'interesting'.

 
 By: G99 : November 27th, 2008-14:55