Hermès unveils a set of 3 new watches inspired by one of the iconic service sets by the Maison
Hermès, Arceau Cheval d’Orient, highlighting their mastering of the art of French lacquer.
Hermès, Arceau Cheval d’Orient, highlighting their mastering of the art of French lacquer.
All the meticulous care of an experienced lacquer specialist were indeed devoted to taking up the challenge of miniaturization, leading up to the realization of these equestrian scenes
from a dream-like Orient.
from a dream-like Orient.
Hermès’ lacquer craftsmen even go further while working on a metal base for these new horological composition, as opposed to the traditional wood
or bamboo lacquer work.
or bamboo lacquer work.
![](https://theparisianeye.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Colours-trials-682x1024-1-455x683.jpg)
![](https://theparisianeye.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Miniature-with-lacquer_2-682x1024-1-455x683.jpg)
Extreme patience was necessary in order to give life to Hermès’ enduringly entwined passions for artistic craftsmanship and the
equestrian world with these watches: no less than 30 coats of lacquer are first applied to the base, with three days’ drying
time between each coat… In order to achieve
a deep black base.
equestrian world with these watches: no less than 30 coats of lacquer are first applied to the base, with three days’ drying
time between each coat… In order to achieve
a deep black base.
The artisan then turns artist: after outlining with a pencil
the contours of the design on the
perfectly lacquered dial, comes the
preparation of the palette of colors, finely crushing and mixing the pigments to achieve the desired shades.
the contours of the design on the
perfectly lacquered dial, comes the
preparation of the palette of colors, finely crushing and mixing the pigments to achieve the desired shades.
![](https://theparisianeye.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Miniature-with-lacquer-682x1024-1-455x683.jpg)
![](https://theparisianeye.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/chevaldOrient_040827WW00-808x1024-1-539x683.jpg)
The brush is
deftly wielded to gradually bring the colours of the motif to life, by applying them one
by one in successive coats until the entire pattern is reproduced. No less than 10 days
of drying are required before superimposing 20 layers of transparent lacquer, which
also require lengthy drying. An ultimate polish then reveals the extreme finesse of a
design imbued with the subtle depth and vivid colours that only lacquer can achieve.
deftly wielded to gradually bring the colours of the motif to life, by applying them one
by one in successive coats until the entire pattern is reproduced. No less than 10 days
of drying are required before superimposing 20 layers of transparent lacquer, which
also require lengthy drying. An ultimate polish then reveals the extreme finesse of a
design imbued with the subtle depth and vivid colours that only lacquer can achieve.
Masterpieces !