The Hermès Arceau Toucan de Paradis watch weaves a colourful and singular tale

For Hermès, time is also an object. Its inherent tension is translated by the house into a singular characteristic. Rather than measuring, ordering, and seeking to control it, Hermès dares to explore another time, designed to arouse emotions, open up interludes and create spaces for spontaneity and recreation. The Arceau watch’s diamond-set round case with asymmetrical stirrup-shaped lugs frames a dial adorned with a brightly coloured toucan, revealed by exceptional craftsmanship skills.

The tropical bird with its oversized and colourful beak was reinvented by illustrator Katie Scott for the Toucans de Paradis silk scarf in 2020. The youthful British artist, who is passionate about flora and fauna and has made a name for herself with her characteristic style of botanical and animal illustrations, has created a fantastic species with decorative plumage. This exotic representation, hovering between fantasy and naturalism, lends a new artistic dimension to the Arceau watch.

Its dial associates two highly demanding and remarkable crafts that took five years to perfect : multicoloured silk threads, highlighted by the intensity of the miniature enamel. The unique and exclusive Hermès silk thread technique was inspired by a kimono weaving workshop in Japan. Chosen for its vibrant design, the Amazonian bird is composed of 500 individually assembled threads and is brought to life by a full week of fine craftsmanship. The white gold base is first enamelled.

The artisan uses a very fine brush to coat it with glass powders mixed with natural oils, which are then applied in several layers, dried and fired in the kiln. Recesses to house the silk threads are engraved around the enamelled surfaces. Each thread is meticulously positioned and fixed into place with infinite care so as to create subtly shimmering light and preserve a perfect weave.

Embellished with 82 diamonds, this unique dial is framed by a white gold case measuring 38 mm in diameter and housing the Hermès H1912 self-winding movement. Created in the Hermès Horloger workshops, a Zanzibar blue calfskin strap highlights the colours of this exclusive watch, issued in a numbered limited edition of 24.

Technical Characteristics

Movement

• Manufacture Hermès H1912 movement
• Mechanical self-winding, crafted in Switzerland
• Diameter: 23.30 mm
• Thickness: 3.9 mm
• Power reserve: 50 hours
• Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour / 4 Hz
• Functions: Hours, minutes
• Decoration: Circular-grained and snailed baseplate, oscillating weight and bridges adorned with a sprinkling of Hs

Case

• Shape / size: round, 38 mm in diameter
• Material: white gold, bezel set with 82 diamonds
• Glass: anti-reflective sapphire crystal and case-back
• Water resistance: 3 bar

Dial

• Enamelled miniature and silk threads on a white gold base

Strap

• Zanzibar blue calfskin