Arceau Samarcande

In 1978 Henri d’Origny imagined the Arceau, with its round shape and distinctive asymmetrical lugs in the form of stirrups. Carrying on this lineage, the Arceau Samaracande comes in a 38mm case with sapphire crystals front and back, both with an anti-glare treatment. A horse-shaped cutout in the dial, which is crafted from Saint-Louis crystal, echoes Hermès’s equestrian heritage. This central motif becomes a window on the H1927 movement, an in-house mechanical calibre with automatic winding by micro-rotor that measures 4.95mm high, beats at 3 Hz and provides 48 hours of power reserve. It also incorporates a minute repeater, exposed with its hammers at 12 o’clock through the display back. Also in full view is the micro-rotor, which is finely decorated with Hermès’s Duc Attelé horse and carriage motif. The construction highlights the care and attention paid to finishing, such as mirror polishing, bevelled angles, circular-graining and bead-blasting. This Arceau Samaracande is proposed in white gold with a blue crystal dial and sapphire horse motif, and in white gold or rose gold with a white crystal dial and sapphire horse motif outlined with diamonds, plus diamonds on the bezel.