Hermès Arceau Belles du Mexique Watch Review
The Hermès Arceau Belles du Mexique pays tribute to the famous Mexican hat dance. The dial is enlivened with an animated depiction of twirling sombreros, painstakingly painted by hand. Moreover, the dial and bezel are further enriched with the judicious application of diamonds, providing an additional quotient of sparkling pizzazz.
Image – copyright Anita Schlaefli
Animated watch dials
‘Times flies’ is an idiom familiar to many; however, there are occasions when life’s cadence seems incredibly slow. As a schoolboy, I would stare at the wall clock wishing for the minute hand to edge closer to the end of the lesson. On occasions, time seems more about perception than reality.
Simply stare at a watch fitted with just an hour and minute hand and all appears still. The absence of a central sweep seconds hand, a chronograph register or a rotating tourbillon cage seems to rob the dialscape of oxygen.
Image – copyright Anita Schlaefli
Hermès Arceau Belles du Mexique – a foot in both camps
Now, Hermès, the purveyors of ultra-refined luxury goods, has released a watch that has a foot in both camps. Equipped with feuille-style hour and minute hands, the inventory of functions is limited; however, the brand introduces a high degree of dynamism with the addition of spinning dancers. Yes, you read that correctly. Seven hand-painted rotating discs replicate the appearance of seven dancers twirling clockwise and counterclockwise as if viewed from above. The artistic depiction of large brimmed hats masks the dancers’ frenetic footwork, but the dialside animation is clear to see.
Image – copyright David Marchon
Hermès Arceau Belles du Mexique hand painted dial
Seven additional dancers stand near the edge of the dial, statically observing their compatriots move. All the dancers, whether moving or static, are handcrafted and adorned with numerous layers of paint. They sit atop a miniature painted dial conferring a wonderful depth to the Mexican-themed vista.
Image – copyright David Marchon
Inspired by a Hermès scarf
At the heart of the dial, a neat circlet of diamonds, 23 in total, frames the hour and minute hands. The gems engage with available light, adding a dose of vigour to the animated display. The originality of the composition is incredible; however, if the design looks familiar then you have probably already seen it gracing a Hermès scarf. Indeed, the high-end Maison often takes inspiration from its back catalogue of sought-after silk scarves, some of which pay tribute to the firm’s historic links to the equestrian world.
Images – copyright David Marchon
When creating the scarf that inspired this model, the historic marque looked to Mexico, a country famous for spicy foods, heat and Latin passion. It seems the brand’s inventive spirit and artistic prowess pervade all areas of the organisation.
Image – copyright Anita Schlaefli
Hermès Arceau Belles du Mexique diamonds
Returning to the Hermès Arceau Belles du Mexique, the sense of luxury is further heightened with the model’s white gold case and bezel, enlivened with 82 diamonds. Powered by a self-winding calibre, the Manufacture Hermès H1912 movement, the model is offered in two colourways, orange and raspberry, limited to 12 pieces each.
Image – copyright Anita Schlaefli
Further reading
Technical specifications
- Model: Hermès Arceau Belles du Mexique
- Case: white gold, diameter 38 mm, water resistance 3 ATM (30 metres), sapphire crystal to front; exhibition caseback.
- Functions: hours, minutes
- Movement: Manufacture Hermès H1912 movement, automatic movement, frequency 28,800 vph (4 Hz), power reserve 50 hours
- Strap: smooth orange alligator leather strap / smooth raspberry alligator leather strap
- Limited Edition: 12 pieces