
In this grand complication by Hermès, the master watchmakers skillfully blend the brand’s equestrian history with its visionary watchmaking abilities. Essentially, a large aperture in the shape of a horse head occupies most of the space on the lacquered dial, hugging the case curves and allowing for a magnificent view of the complicated minute-repeater movement. A circular aperture at 6 o’clock reveals the tourbillon escapement. The stirrup-shaped lug at the top of the Arceau case (originally designed in 1978 by Henri d’Origny) lends the perfect equestrian finish to the look.
The mechanical hand-wound movement, H1924, was developed by the brand and features a two-gong minute repeater that chimes the time on demand using multiple notes to clearly ring the hours, the quarter hours past the hour and the minutes past the quarter hours. This version in rose gold with white lacquer dial made its appearance late last year, but this fall Hermès is unveiling 28 new one-of-a-kind versions in a variety of dial colors and materials that will range in price from $300,000 to $325,000.
$269,000, available at Hermès in New York, +1 212 785 3030, hermes.com