Hermès Slim D’Hermès C’est la fête

Dressed in a white gold case, this new Slim d’Hermès watch showcases the subtle arts of miniature paillonné enamel and engraving in a whimsical and mischievous universe.

Crafted in blue and bronze/russet tones, the new Slim d’Hermès C’est la fête is brought to life by the skilful workmanship of the enamellers and engravers. Humorously reinterpreting the theme of the C’est la fête silk scarf, demanding miniature enamel artistry is revealed in all its virtuoso splendour.

The dial motif – a mischievous skeleton figure vigorously riding his horse in a tailcoat and top hat – is drawn from the men’s silk scarf designed by Daiske Nomura in 2012.

Hermès Slim D’Hermès C’est la fête watch
©Claude Joray

The Japanese designer-illustrator, who likes to hijack Hermès emblems by associating them with cartoon, manga and videogame culture, offers a consistently unexpected whimsical or futuristic vision. With Slim d’Hermès C’est la fête, this modern, rock’n’rol l interpretation of the vanities theme enters a whole new dimension: a paillonné enamel and engraving composition in which every detail harbours a wealth of dexterity, emotion and singularity.

The Slim d’Hermès C’est la fête dial combines several meticulous techniques, including paillonné enamel, which consists in inserting gold or silver leaf paillons (spangles) between the layers of enamel to create a variety of light, transparency and relief effects.

Hermès Slim D’Hermès C’est la fête
©Claude Joray

The artisan performs this delicate operation in conjunction with the no less meticulous craft of miniature enamelling, tracing the contours of the motif on a hand-enamelled and polished white gold surface before using a very fine brush to adorn it with various coloured glass powders mixed with natural oils. These are applied in several coats, successively dried and fired in the kiln to fix the pigments and paillons in place.

The skeletons of the horseman and his steed take shape beneath the burins and chisels wielded by the engraver, who patiently carves out the relief and depth of these figures in gold.

Its elegant round white gold case houses the ultra-thin Manufacture Hermès H1950 self-winding movement, adorned with the signature “sprinkling of Hs” motif.

Crafted in the Hermès Horloger workshops, a matt abyss blue alligator strap underscores the nuances of this exclusive watch, issued in an eight-piece limited edition.

Technical details

Model: SLIM D’HERMÈS C’est la fête
Numbered eight-piece limited edition

Movement
Manufacture Hermès H1950 ultra-thin movement
Mechanical self-winding movement, crafted in Switzerland
Diameter: 30 mm
Thickness: 2.6 mm
Power reserve: 42 hours
Frequency: 21,600 vph
Functions: Hours, minutes

Case
Shape/size: Round, 39.5 mm in diameter
Material: White gold
Glass: Anti-glare sapphire crystal and caseback
Water resistance: 3 bar

Dial
Dial in paillonné enamel white gold, engraved gold applique with miniature enamel painting

Strap
Abyss blue alligator