Hermès Arceau Petite Lune ciel étoilé Watch Review
The Hermès Arceau Petite Lune ciel étoilé has a textured mother-of-pearl dial suffused with a rich, lustrous layer of midnight blue lacquer. The judicious application of seven diamonds replicates the appearance of a nocturnal sky, while a stylised depiction of the moon adds a dose of poetic charm. Housed in a 38 mm stainless steel case, the bezel is embellished with an additional 70 diamonds. A sapphire-blue alligator strap completes this stylish horological ensemble. Angus Davies suggests this may be the ideal watch for dreamers, optimists, romantics and thoughtful horophiles.
Image – copyright Joel Von Allmen
Dream Watch
With the advent of a new year, armies of dreamers ponder what life has in store. Often they look to the heavens, seeking divine inspiration, hoping to see a bright future, light years away. Some people find that staring at the vast night sky, punctuated with glinting stars and an all-knowing moon, feeds their contemplative eyes and nourishes their romantic souls.
Hermès Arceau Petite Lune ciel étoilé dial
Now, Hermès, the über-luxurious Parisian Maison, has released a new model likely to indulge the desires of dreamers, optimists, romantics and thoughtful horophiles. The new Hermès Arceau Petite Lune ciel étoilé has a glorious textured mother-of-pearl dial, dressed in midnight blue lacquer.
Feuille-style hour and minute hands float above the nocturnal scene, dotted with seven star-like diamonds. A tender moon peeps through a crescent-shaped aperture, indicating the current phase based on the 29.5-day lunar cycle. Interestingly, the dial is not one colour, but several, transitioning from a lapis-like hue to an almost brooding-shade of black.
Hermès Arceau Petite Lune ciel étoilé case
As its name suggests, the Hermès Arceau Petite Lune ciel étoilé subscribes to Henri d’Origny’s famous watch design of 1978 featuring a stirrup-type strap attachment, positioned above noon, paying tribute to Hermès’ equestrian roots. Founded in 1837, the luxury marque began life as a harness-maker but today, the company makes an array of goods, including handbags, scarves, ties and watches, but still continues to sate the desires of the equestrian world.
Image – copyright Joel Von Allmen
Measuring 38 mm in diameter, the round case features a bezel adorned with 70 drop-set diamonds (using a cut-down setting technique). The crown is also set with an additional diamond. To the rear of the watch, a pane of sapphire crystal grants sight of the self-winding movement, the Hermès H1837.
Hermès H1837 movement
The Maison states Hermès H1837 movement is ‘crafted in Switzerland’. The balance has a frequency of 28,800 vph (4 Hz) and is adorned with an array of refined finishes including ‘circular-grained, snailed and satin-brushed finishes’. In addition, the bridges and oscillating weight are enlivened with the Maison’s ‘sprinkling of Hs’ motif. Assuming the mainspring is fully tensioned, the watch will run autonomously for 42 hours.
Hermès watch strap
Drawing on the brand’s vast expertise in crafting leather goods, including saddlery, it should come as no surprise to learn that the watch comes presented on a sumptuous smooth sapphire blue alligator strap.
Further reading
Technical specifications
- Model: Hermès Arceau Petite Lune ciel étoilé
- Case: stainless steel, diameter 38 mm, water resistance 3 ATM (30 metres), sapphire crystal to front; exhibition caseback.
- Functions: hours, minutes, moon phase
- Movement: Hermès H1837 movement, automatic movement, frequency 28,800 vph (4 Hz), power reserve 42 hours
- Strap: smooth sapphire blue alligator leather strap