Hermès Arceau Les folies du ciel Limited Edition
The new Arceau Les folies du ciel watch from the House of Hermès combines painting, engraving and animation to create a unique composition, inspired by Loïc Dubigeon’s «Les folies du ciel» silk scarf motif designed in 1984 to honour aerostatics.
The dial of Hermès Arceau Les folies du ciel evokes the early days of the conquest of the sky. They testify to the research conducted until the start of the 20th century in the field of hot-air balloon, airships and flying vessels.
On a mother-of-pearl dial whose textured hue can be seen through the wisps of smoke from the chimneys, two neoralite pink and green hot-air balloons billow in the wind. Their kiln-fired canvas takes on a curved relief that creates the illusion of the volume of hot air filling them and enabling them to take flight. Each surface is hand polished to give it a radiant sheen.
The two balloons are attached to a hand-painted white gold gondola in the shape of a bird. Perched above the tableau at 12 o’clock is a hand-painted and applied animated balloon. Designed as a balance, it spins on its axis in step with wrist movements, expressing the light, unexpected touch typical of Hermès creations.
«Hermès Par is» is embossed like a secret signature reserved for each of the 24 travellers for whom this limited series is intended.
Dressed in a 38 mm diameter white gold case, the Arceau Les folies du ciel watch houses a Manufacture Hermès mechanical movement with automatic winding and 50 hour power reserve. This timepiece comes with a Chantilly alligator leather strap.
Technical details
Model: Hermès ARCEAU Les folies du ciel
Edition
Numbered 24-piece limited edition
Movement
Manufacture Hermès H1837 movement
Mechanical self-winding, Swiss made
Diameter: 25.6 mm
Thickness: 3.83 mm
Power reserve: 50 hours
Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Functions: Hours, minutes
Decoration: circular-grained and snailed baseplate, satin-brushed bridges and oscillating weight, signature “H” pattern
Case
Shape/ size: Round, 38 mm diameter
Material: White gold
Glass: Anti-glare sapphire crystal and case-back
Water resistance: 3 bar
Dial
Mother-of-pearl base, textured mother-of-pearl smoke, engraved and miniature-painted applique
Strap
Chantilly alligator
