GEOMETRIC POETRY
Engraving, miniature painting, and haute horlogerie come together in a composition where materials, light, and movement give rise to a unique interpretation of the equestrian world.
With the Arceau Cavalier en Formes watch, Hermès continues the dialogue between artistic creation and watchmaking expertise. Produced in a limited edition of just six pieces, this exceptional timepiece draws its inspiration from the graphic universe of Gianpaolo Pagni. Adapted from a design created for a silk scarf, its aesthetic reveals a fragmented equestrian silhouette, where geometric shapes and plays on perspective compose a scene that is both abstract and narrative.
The dial becomes the stage for this interpretation. Painted on both sides of a sapphire crystal, the decoration unfolds across multiple visual layers that blur the boundaries between foreground and background. Touches of blue, circular and square motifs, engraved elements, and hand-painted details intertwine to create a sense of movement. At the center of this ensemble, the figure of a horse engraved in yellow gold appears in fragments, revealed by the play of light and the transparencies that animate the composition.
This artistic construction is accompanied by a mechanical mechanism that matches its visual complexity. Housed in a 43mm-diameter white gold case, the hand-wound H1924 movement combines a minute repeater with a Lift tourbillon. Positioned at 6 o’clock, its cage features the double H motif inspired by the historic elevator at the 24 faubourg Saint-Honoré flagship store. This movement, oscillating at a gentle frequency of 3hz, delivers an impressive power reserve of up to 90 hours. The Arceau Cavalier en Formes watch is secured to the wrist with a bleu abysse alligator leather strap.
