With the Arceau Cheval Natté, Hermès pushes watchmaking further into the realm of métiers d’art, turning the dial itself into a study in textile craftsmanship. The latest interpretation of the Arceau, Henri d’Origny’s distinctive 1978 design, combines its elegant equestrian language with an unusually tactile form of dial decoration.
At its centre, a graphic horse’s head by designer Tong Ren is constructed from nearly 400 individually positioned silk threads, each laid in a precise direction to create movement, relief and remarkable visual depth. The result is a miniature woven composition in which light catches the texture of the silk and reveals the complexity of the work beneath it.
The dial is further enhanced with 123 diamonds, set alongside champlevé engraving, while the 38mm rose gold case is framed by a diamond-set bezel and crown. Inside, the watch houses Hermès’ H1912 Manufacture self-winding movement, offering a 50-hour power reserve and visible finishing through the sapphire crystal case-back.
Available in two colourways, one vivid and luminous, the other darker in black, red and brown, each is paired with a hand-finished alligator strap. Limited to just 24 examples per version, the Arceau Cheval Natté is a compelling reminder that at Hermès, haute horlogerie is as much about the artistry of how a watch is made as the mechanics that make it tick.
