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Hermès Horloger

ARCEAU Les folies du ciel

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The Arceau Les folies du ciel watch is a dreamlike, airy composition from the early days of the conquest of the sky. A tribute to the pioneers who were foolish enough to believe that man could perhaps fly one day...

Created in 1978 by Henri d'Origny, the Arceau watch once again lends itself to the expression of Hermès creativity. The Arceau Les folies du ciel watch 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. Capturing those first moments between earth and air, between dream and reality - when man could at last fly - it encompasses 18 projects ranging from the most serious to the most eccentric. They testify to the research conducted until the start of the 20th century in the field of hot-air balloon, airships and flying vessels. The parade begins, pennant flags flying high.

Escape, discovery and curiosity are at the heart of the journey embodied by Lesfoliesduciel. Beforetheaeroplane became a necessity for crossing land and sea, man first sought to soar, to rise higher.

The first aircraft took to the skies yet remained immobile was the aerostat. A prelude to the balloon and the airship, it allowed humans to break free from gravity. Icarus is a myth and the aerostat was a dream giving access to an impassable frontier that humankind would incessantly pursue: the horizon. The horse provided a chance to cover distances, while the aerostat brought a third dimension: altitude.

The Arceau Les folies du ciel watch is the horological expression of this spirit. The Hermès artisans have recreated this dreamlike journey in a 38 mm white gold case, powered by a Manufacture Hermès movement.

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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 - the original symbol of travel and migration, humankind’s first inspiration for its future flying vessels.

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 Paris» is embossed like a secret signature reserved for each of the 24 travellers for whom this limited series is intended.