Hermès Arceau Grande Lune
The Hermès Arceau Grande Lune upholds the Maison’s love of moonphase indicators but also incorporates date, day and month functions. Housed in a 43mm steel case, the model features a blue dial and an automatic movement.
Image – © copyright Joel Von Allmen
In the last few months Hermès has been prolific, releasing a plethora of new models. Some have been adorned with gems or encompass other artistic crafts such as miniature painted dials, but all exhibit the Maison’s notable sense of style.
Appraising the brand’s 2020 novelties, several models have been equipped with a moon-phase indication. In some instances this has taken the form of a crescent-shaped aperture revealing the lunar cycle.
In this instance, the Arceau L’heure de la lune features two dials, one displaying hours, the other indicating the date. As these dials rotate they pass over a depiction of the moon in the Northern Hemisphere and a second representation of the moon as seen in the Southern Hemisphere. These indications prove eminently readable and simple to understand.
Image – © copyright Joel Von Allmen
Furthermore, a moonphase indicator displays the lunar cycle which lasts 29.5 days. Some wearers wish to know the status of the moon, eager to know whether it is a new moon, waxing crescent, waning crescent, waning gibbous etc. However, I suspect that most individuals are drawn to this complication because of its aesthetic allure.
The Hermès Arceau Grande Lune upholds the brand’s fondness for the moonphase indicator, but also incorporates a pointer date display at 6 o’clock along with day and month indications positioned at noon. Rhodium-plated leaf-shaped hour and minute hands converse with silver-toned Arabic numerals, lucidly expressing time. A central sweep seconds hand completes the inventory of functions. The model is housed in a generously proportioned 43mm case with the dial dressed in a becoming shade of blue. An automatic movement delivers wearer convenience.
The brand’s press release
The new Arceau Grande Lune featuring a deep blue dial with a sunburst motif highlights the creativity of a timeless model. In 1978, Henri d’Origny freed the round watch from established aesthetic codes by imagining a classic and singular curve: the Arceau watch was born. Its case with asymmetrical stirrup-shaped attachments and sloping Arabic numerals evoking a galloping horse reveal a discreet and enduring elegance that lends itself to every possible expression of Hermès creativity and know-how.
Image – © copyright Joel Von Allmen
The sunburst blue face of the new Arceau Grande Lune is paired with a matching Abyss blue alligator strap, an intense colour accentuated by the casual elegance of the steel case and sapphire caseback.
Swept over by slender hands and enlivened by sloping numerals creating an in-motion effect, this dynamic-looking display is complemented by a moon phase and date counter adorned with a starry sky, as well as a double day and month window appearing beneath the Hermès logo. Hours, minutes, seconds and complete calendar indications are displayed to the rhythm of a mechanical self-winding movement housed in a case crafted in the Hermès watchmaking workshops, as are the dial and strap.
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