Created by exceptional artisans, the all-new Hermès Slim d’Hermès Le Sacre des saisons showcases nature’s bounty and a playful animal world.
Hermès is well known for creating some incredible artistic timepieces. Some of the models from the brand we have covered in the past are a testament to this, displaying exceptional skills from the artisans to produce detailed artwork on the wrist. The Hermès Horloger Arceau Wow, which you can read here, is a prime example of the brand’s ability to create beautifully detailed and colourful watches.
Hermès latest Slim d’Hermès Le Sacre des saisons collection takes this artistry-on-the-wrist to a whole other level, showcasing the full ability of the exceptional skills of the artisans. A total of four timepieces make up the new Slim d’Hermès Le Sacre des saisons collection. Each watch represents a different season, Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn, with each watch also having four different animal figures inspired by Hermès silk scarf designs.
Slim d’Hermès expresses the very essence of Hermès: a singularity that is all about rigorous discipline and pleasing balance. Its pure, contemporary yet timeless lines evoke the inimitable style and imaginary world of Hermès. Showcasing a range of rare and often unexpected crafts, it boldly – yet with a light touch – revisits the silk scarf titled Le Sacre des saisons and designed by artist Pierre Marie.
Hermès
Pierre Marie has used four different animals and created his own interpretation of them for each of the seasons to fit his narrative of the fantasy universe in which they are shown. The animals include a sun-haloed lion, an eagle with unfurled leafy wings, an ice-crowned wolf and a horse with a flower-strewn mantle. Each of the animals has also been dressed in 17-20th century attire, inspired by costumes of the French and Russian ballets of this era.
All four variants are presented in a 39.5mm case; however, it is made from differing materials and the number of diamonds on the case. The Winter model comes in a white gold material, with 52 baguette-cut diamonds on the edge of the case. The Spring edition comes with a rose gold that’s set with 66 diamonds along the edge of the case, while the Summer edition has a white gold case set with 66 diamonds. Finally, the Autumn edition doesn’t feature any diamonds and, instead, a plain white gold case.
The movement used for the Slim d’Hermès Le Sacre Des Saisons collection is Hermès own ultra-thin manufacture H1950 movement. The H1950 Hermès movement is based on the Vaucher VMF 5401 / H, M, S6H, which is the same extreme thickness as this upgraded Hermès movement at just 2.6mm. The movement is able to operate at a frequency of 3Hz (21,600 VpH) whilst giving out an impressive power reserve of 48 hours, considering the thickness of the movement!
Winter Edition
Numbered Limited Edition of 12
The Winder Edition depicts an ice wolf in paillonné enamel twirls in a white gold case set with 52 baguette-cut diamonds. Hermès states that this “meticulous technique consists of inserting gold or silver flakes between enamel layers to create a play on light, transparency and depth.”
Spring Edition
Numbered Limited Edition of 12
The Spring Edition is artistically done in the form of a horse that’s adorned with luxuriant flowers. The dial is created with the touch of an experienced artisan who uses a brush to create numerous micro-paint layers on a lemon chrysoprase stone base. All of this is encased in a rose gold case set with 66 diamonds.
Summer Edition
Numbered Limited Edition of 12
The summer edition has a more lively colour palette as expected. The animal being portrayed is a radiant lion. This artistic creation is done by engraving the drawing in sapphire crystal from the back of the dial, giving the image more depth. The white gold case is set with 66 diamonds.
Autumn Edition
Numbered Limited Edition of 12
By far, the most detailed and vivid imagery of the four dials is the Autumn Edition. The colour palette for this dial consists mainly of pink, gold and red, with the imagery of the dial being created from traditional burins and chisels. Shown inside the white gold case is the image of a flamboyant eagle with unfolded wings.
Final Thoughts
Hermès is showcasing once again that they are one of the leaders in the industry when it comes to creating artistic timepieces. This latest Slim d’Hermès Le Sacre des saisons collection of watches shows how well the creative designs are executed on the dials by the exceptional skills of the artisans.
Each timepiece has been tastefully done to represent what each season is symbolic of flowers in spring, hot and radiant summers, fallen leaves in autumn, and cold, icy winters. Three of the four models have also been given diamonds, giving the timepieces the added touch of elegance and luxury.
My personal favourite out of the four models is the Autumn edition. The case is kept simple without the addition of the diamonds, letting the artistic mastery of the dial do all the talking. Out of the four dials, the Autumn edition stands out the most due to the combination of the vibrant colours used. The beauty of it all is that even with the detailed imagery of the “flamboyant eagle” shown, time is still easily readable thanks to the hands contrasting against the dial colours nicely.
Reference: Winter
Specification
- Case: 39.5mm diameter
- Case Material: White gold set with 52 baguette-cut diamonds
- Dial: Dial featuring miniature enamel and paillonné enamel
- Crystal: Anti-glare sapphire crystal and caseback
- Water resistance: 30m (3 Bar)
- Movement: Ultra-thin Manufacture Hermès H1950 mechanical self-winding movement
- Movement Frequency: 3Hz (21,600 VpH)
- Power reserve: 48 hours
- Bracelet: Smooth royal blue alligator leather strap
Australian Recommended Retail Price: Upon Request
Availability: Each Season is Limited to 12 timepieces. Release date TBA.
Reference: Spring
Specification
- Case: 39.5mm diameter
- Case Material: Rose gold set with 66 diamonds
- Dial: Dial featuring miniature painting on lemon chrysoprase
- Crystal: Anti-glare sapphire crystal and caseback
- Water resistance: 30m (3 Bar)
- Movement: Ultra-thin Manufacture Hermès H1950 mechanical self-winding movement
- Movement Frequency: 3Hz (21,600 VpH)
- Power reserve: 48 hours
- Bracelet: Matte green alligator leather strap
Australian Recommended Retail Price: Upon Request
Availability: Each Season is Limited to 12 timepieces. Release date TBA.
Reference: Summer
Specification
- Case: 39.5mm diameter
- Case Material: White gold set with 66 diamonds
- Dial: Dial featuring miniature painting on lemon chrysoprase
- Crystal: Anti-glare sapphire crystal and caseback
- Water resistance: 30m (3 Bar)
- Movement: Ultra-thin Manufacture Hermès H1950 mechanical self-winding movement
- Movement Frequency: 3Hz (21,600 VpH)
- Power reserve: 48 hours
- Bracelet: Matte white alligator leather strap
Australian Recommended Retail Price: Upon Request
Availability: Each Season is Limited to 12 timepieces. Release date TBA.
Reference: Autumn
Specification
- Case: 39.5mm diameter
- Case Material: White gold
- Dial: Gold dial with micro-relief engraving, miniature painting
- Crystal: Anti-glare sapphire crystal and caseback
- Water resistance: 30m (3 Bar)
- Movement: Ultra-thin Manufacture Hermès H1950 mechanical self-winding movement
- Movement Frequency: 3Hz (21,600 VpH)
- Power reserve: 48 hours
- Bracelet: Smooth ember alligator leather strap.
