Hermès
Managing Director
Luc Perramond
La Montre Hermès SA
Erlenstrasse 31a
2555 Brügg
Switzerland
Tel. : +41 32 366 71 00
Fax. : +41 32 366 71 01
hermes.com
History
La Montre Hermès' story
Founded in Paris in 1837, Hermès acquired its reputation for excellence in the crafting of harnesses for carriage horses. In the early 20th century, it extended its leather-making expertise to accessories such as belts, jackets, bags – and watch straps from the 1920s onwards.
1928 The first watches bearing the Hermès signature are presented at 24, Faubourg Saint-Honoré. For over 50 years, Hermès created “guardians of time” in cooperation with the greatest names in Swiss watchmaking.
1978 Hermès founds La Montre Hermès S.A, a subsidiary of Hermès International. It operates a production facility in Biel, Switzerland and organises international distribution through Hermès stores and the specialised retail network. That same year sees the launch of the Arceau model, inspired by the shape of a stirrup.
1981 Launch of Clipper, a flagship model evoking the open seas thanks to its porthole-shaped bezel.
1991 Launch of Cape Cod, which is equipped in 1998 with a double wrap-around strap, based on an idea by Martin Margiela, Art Director for ladies’ ready-to-wear at Hermès.
1997 Launch of the H-Hour which plays with the Hermès initial
1999 La Montre Hermès acquires more spacious workshops, currently accommodating a staff of more than 100 people
2003 Launch of Dressage, a prestigious self-winding watch equipped with a Manufacture Vaucher movement.
2006 October 20th. Hermès International invests CHF25 million (€15.7 million) to acquire a 25% stake in Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier. That same year, Hermès transfers its exotic leather strap-making workshops from Paris to Biel.
2008 La Montre Hermès presents its proprietary movement developed in partnership with Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier. Named H1, this self-winding calibre serves to power the new Cape Cod H1 and Clipper H1 models.
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