Hermès
Paris, France · Est. 1837
Founded by Thierry Hermès
Hermès entered watchmaking in 1978 and opened its own manufacture, La Montre Hermès, in Biel in 1978. The brand's watches, including the Arceau and Cape Cod, are distinguished by their artisanal dial treatments — silk-screen printing, leather dials, cloisonné enamel — reflecting the maison's deep craft heritage.
- Founded
- 1837
- Headquarters
- Paris, France
- Group
- Other
- Price Segment
- Luxury
- Status
- Active
Key Collections
- Arceau — Round case with asymmetric lugs designed by Henri d'Origny in 1978, often featuring artistic métiers d'art dials inspired by Hermès silk scarves.
- Cape Cod — Double-tour strap watch designed by Henri d'Origny in 1991, with its distinctive double-wrap leather band becoming a fashion icon.
- Heure H — Rectangular watch shaped like the letter H, embodying the house's initial in a bold architectural design.
- Slim d'Hermès — Ultra-thin collection featuring a bespoke typographic numeral font by Philippe Apeloig, housing Hermès' own thin automatic movements.
Timeline
- 1837 — Thierry Hermès founds the house in Paris as a harness and saddle maker serving European nobility.
- 1928 — Hermès releases its first wristwatch, the Ermeto — a sliding-case travel clock.
- 1978 — La Montre Hermès is established in Biel, Switzerland, as the dedicated watch subsidiary. Henri d'Origny designs the Arceau.
- 2006 — Hermès acquires a 25% stake in Vaucher Manufacture, gaining access to in-house movement production.
- 2021 — Launch of the H08, a modern sport watch representing Hermès' first foray into contemporary, casual-wear timepieces.
- 2025 — Unveils the Arceau Le Temps Suspendu with a time-stopping pusher complication and the Arceau L'heure de la Lune with lunar meteorite dials at Watches & Wonders 2025. Debuts the sculptural Maillon Libre bracelet watch.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hermès
- Does Hermès make its own watch movements?
- Hermès uses a combination of movements: ETA/Sellita for entry-level pieces, Vaucher Manufacture movements for mid-range (Hermès owns 25% of Vaucher), and fully proprietary calibres for its haute horlogerie pieces like the Slim d'Hermès.
- What is the Cape Cod double-tour?
- Designed in 1991 by Henri d'Origny, the Cape Cod features a leather strap that wraps twice around the wrist. Martin Margiela added the 'double-tour' concept, which became one of the most recognisable watch designs in fashion.