The Arceau watch, the most iconic model of the House of Hermès
The Arceau watch is an iconic model of the Hermès brand. The year of its creation, 1978, is in fact the year when the famous House founded its own structure specialized in watchmaking in Biel, Switzerland. From then on, the Arceau collection symbolized the excellence of Hermès designs in the world of luxury watchmaking.
The original Arceau watch was designed in Paris by the renowned designer Henry D'Origny. But, for the first time, the design is made in Switzerland. Chic and distinguished, the original model already contained the touch that would quickly make it a sought-after iconic piece: the famous slanted typography of the Arabic numerals on the dial.
The watch has been a huge success worldwide since then and is still going strong today. Remaining unchanged for a long time, the collection proposed subtle modifications from 1996 onwards that attracted lovers of luxury pieces: steel and gold were notably substituted for the initial gold plating.
Iconic design identifiable at first glance
The Arceau watch immediately stood out thanks to its particularly original design, which is reminiscent of the Etrier, highlighting the strong link between the House of Hermès and the world of horseback riding.
The variations of the original model have of course retained the great aesthetic lines that made the collection famous, but have adapted perfectly to the times. In 2004, the watch was equipped with a mechanical winding caliber, while it was also offered in a larger size: the cases in the range range from 36 mm to 43 mm in diameter.
In 2006, a chronograph version was launched and preceded several other successful series, including the Squelette reference and the "Suspended Time" complication. For the strap, alligator is the natural material most often found; black is often preferred to highlight the sparkling white of the dial.