In the world of watchmaking, Hermès has long stood apart for its ability to transform time into a singular object, one meant to evoke emotion, create pauses, and open windows of imagination. The Maison designs objects shaped by the hands of artisans to become true companions to those who wear them. With the Slim d’Hermès Hippocampe, Hermès invites us on a new odyssey shaped by exceptional craftsmanship. Introduced in 2015, the Slim’s clean, pared-back silhouette becomes a canvas for the arts of engraving and leather marquetry.
Born from the minimalist purity of the Slim collection, this edition unfolds like the narrative of an odyssey, elevated by the work of illustrator Stuart Patience. The hippocampus, that mythical “sea horse,” comes alive through the harmonious meeting of two master disciplines. Engraving traces the creature’s contours with precision into the 39.5 mm white-gold case. Leather marquetry, a process marked by near-obsessive rigour, transforms ultra-fine skins, shaved to 0.5 mm, meticulously cut and assembled piece by piece into a textured, vibrant mosaic that appears to rise from the ocean depths. The dial ceases to be a mere surface; it becomes a living material, a skin in conversation with the Swift calfskin strap, offered in béton or pearl tones.
At the heart of this creation is the Hermès H1950 manufacture movement, a Swiss-made ultra-thin automatic caliber with a 48-hour power reserve. Its refined finishes, including the signature “H” pattern across its hand-chamfered bridges, are revealed through the sapphire case-back, reflecting the purity and precision of its conception. The Slim d’Hermès Hippocampe is presented as a deliberately rare collector’s piece, each color variation limited and numbered to just 24 models. It powerfully embodies the idea that true luxury is born from patience, perfection, and artisanal collaboration where every gesture and every detail carries meaning.
