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Hermès ARCEAU

Lift tourbillon répétition minutes so black

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Designed by Henri d’Origny in 1978, the Arceau watch expresses an understated yet singular nature. Its timeless silhouette takes the form of round case with asymmetrical lugs evoking stirrups. Issued in a numbered 24-piece limited series, the Arceau Lift tourbillon répétition minutes so black features a black grand feu enamel dial revealing part of its captivating mechanism.

Visible through the cut-out of the equestrian profile, the complex mechanism of the double-gong minute repeater is truly captivating. This traditional complication is combined here with another horologica l exception – the flying tourbillon – nestling in the horse’s neck and revealed through a round aperture at 6 o'clock. The double-H tourbillon structure is inspired by an emblematic motif of the Hermès boutique in the Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris. This distinctive design surmounting the carriage and barrel bridge echoes the shape of the wrought iron adorning the entrance, railings, staircase and elevator of the Parisian establishment.

Swept over by slender, hollowed-out hands, the dial is punctuated by sloping numerals evoking a galloping horse, the signature of the Arceau line. The dial cut-outs and the sapphire case-back reveal the Manufacture Hermès H1924 mechanical hand-wound movement ensuring a crystal-clear chime for the minute repeater. Housed in a titanium case measuring 43 mm in diameter and incorporating two major Haute Horlogerie complications, this light yet robust model was crafted in the Hermès Horloger workshops, as was the matt black alligator strap.