We tend to forget it too much, but besides its scarves and perfumes, Hermès is also a house that offers very beautiful watches: the Heure H and its iconic square case, the Arceau tailored for horse riding enthusiasts… At the last Watches & Wonders fair, Hermès captured attention not only thanks to the immersive scenography of its stand, but also with the presentation of its new very poetic watch, the Cut.
Very simple in appearance, it displays remarkable lines that could make it one of the most beautiful dress watches of the year.
Erin O’Keefe’s work as a showcase for the new Hermès watch
In the rich and complex world of high-end watchmaking, Hermès has always had the knack for caring for the form as much as the content. The watch itself as much as how it is presented to the public. This is still the case for its new creation, the Hermès Cut watch, beautifully highlighted at the Watches & Wonders show.
As the brand explains, this watch is not just about capturing time; it invites reflection on space and perception. Therefore, New York artist Erin O’Keefe has imagined an immersive scenography to enhance this new timepiece. In the aisles of Palexpo, wall art meets the simplicity of modernist sculptures, enveloping visitors in a world where shapes and colors transform the perception of time and space.
O’Keefe’s installation is not only used as a backdrop, but becomes an integral part of the Hermès experience, highlighting the brand’s philosophy that considers time itself as a work of art. Alongside the Jaeger-LeCoultre forge or the eternal Moon of IWC, the Hermès stand will remain one of the most poetic (and successful) at this Watches & Wonders 2024.
Hermès Cut, a watch halfway between the circle and the round
We already knew the circle in the square dear to Bell & Ross. With its Cut, Hermès invents the circle in the round. Unless it’s about the circle in the circle. With a good dose of subtlety and mischief, this watch “plays with
the vocabulary of geometry dear to Hermès”.
Reinventing traditional geometric shapes and playing with the concepts of circle and round, Hermès perfectly demonstrates its ability to merge art and watchmaking. More concretely, it is therefore the design of the case that first catches the eye (and proves that every detail has its importance). Designed entirely in steel or in a combination of steel and rose gold, this one displays an elegant diameter of only 36 mm.
The crown, placed at 1:30 and enhanced with a lacquered or engraved H, contributes to the striking style of this watch, as do the finishes, which alternate between satin and polished and perfectly reflect the light.
The dial, understated yet sophisticated, is punctuated by luminescent Arabic numerals ensuring optimal readability without sacrificing aesthetics. The offset timer (with a few touches of orange, the signature color of Hermès) is traversed by traditional baton hands, covered with Super-LumiNova.
So that this dress watch perfectly flatters all wrists, both for men and women, the Cut features a seamlessly integrated steel strap but can also accommodate a rubber model, available in a palette of typically Hermès colors.
Versatile and elegant, this watch remains a true beautiful timepiece. It is thus powered by the Hermès H1912 automatic manufacture movement, visible through the sapphire back of the case with its elements decorated with “H seeds”. Made in Switzerland, this provides an average power reserve of 50h.
Accessible from 5400€, the new Hermès Cut can see its price climb to 11,000 euros in its “jeweller” version (and more designed for a female audience) with its bezel set with 56 diamonds and even 12,500€ for the model in steel and rose gold.
