Hermès 'Story

Hermès 'Story

1837
Foundation of Hermès.


1912
'The real first watch of Hermes' is produced by Emile Hermes in her workshop. Decorated with a bracelet and a leather pouch, it was created for her daughter Jacqueline, then aged 9 years.

The affinities between the art of saddle creation and the watchmaking have led Hermes to produce the watchstraps since the 20's and then create their own watches by leading manufactures.


1928
The official outset of the company in the exclusive domain of watchmaking takes place in 1928, when Jacquline (who became muse) gets married. With the new watch Ermeto, the development is also stimulated by the customers themselves. At the same time, Hermès proposes a belt for the golfers. Its loop opens at the touch of a finger and tells the time on a dial with the numbers displayed upside down for convenient viewing and without risk of knocking it with a a brisk movement.


Transparent backs appeared in the 1930s, like the one on the buttonhole pocket watch which reveals its caliber, thus celebrating all the aesthetic appeal of the technology within. Also from this era onwards, protecting the fragile crown became a core concern.


Leather adorns watches, like an engraving or enameling. Above and beyond the aesthetics, leather also played a technical role, such as by serving to protect the bracelet of the circa 1935 Miami model, entirely leather-clad and perfectly adjusted.


The connections between the art of saddle creation and the watchmaking


1978
After the official foundation of 'La Montre Hermès SA' company in Bienne, the heart of the Swiss watchmaking, a new collection of watches marked by technical rigor, excellent style and imagination is developped. Among the others, the company launches 'the Arceau' model, inspired by the form of stirrup.


1981
Outset of 'the Clipper', the flagship model of the company. It pays tribute to the great sailing ships of the 19th century, as its bezel refers to the form of a porthole.


1991
Henry Origny creates the 'Cape Cod' watch, originally inspired by the chain and anchor bracelet. Its rectangular case is placed in the company's emblematic link. Since 1998 the 'Cape Cod' is worn on a double turn bracelet, which is another sign of recognition of Hermes.


1997
Launch of H-Hour (l'Heure-H), with 'H' shaped case, an allusion to the initials of Hermès.


2003
The company establishes a connection with Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier, heir of more than two centuries of exceptional expertise. The result of this complicity is the 'Dressange' watch, created in 2003 and equipped with a mechanical movement of Haute Horlogerie and assembled by hand in Fleurier's workshops.

Then come the 'Dressage phases de lune et quantième rétrograde' watch (with Moonphases and Retrograde date), the 'Cape Cod avec réserve de marche de huit jours et heures sautantes' watch (with 8 days Power reserve indicator and Jumping hours), and the 'Dressage quantième annuel' (Annual calendar) .


2006
Hermès seals its merger with Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier entering 25% shareholding in the factory.


2007
Hermès unveils 'Passe-passe' watch.


2008
La Montre Hermès and Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier combine their talents in order to present the first Hermes exclusive movement, caliber H1, the result of five years of joint development. Its position gets reinforced, what is confirmed by the entrance of Hermes in the circle of Haute Horlogerie brands.


2009
'Cape Cod' takes rounder shape and becames 'barrel Cape Cod', thereby reviving the curved shapes of the original Hermes link.


2011
The Arceau Le Temps suspendu watch conceals time and erases it from the dial whilst continuing to register its ceaseless march. This new horological complication developed exclusively for Hermès is a world first.
 The mechanics behind the illusion are created by an additional module enabling automatic and spontaneous alternation between suspended time and standard time.


2012
La Montre Hermès SA is pleased to confirm the acquisition of the entire share capital of Natéber SA, a high-end dial manufacturer based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.

At Hermès, in 2012, time is marching on. The Dressage watch, created by Henri d'Origny, was modernised in 2003, while remaining true to its original aesthetics and becoming lighter. The dauphine hands are openworked, while the hour-markers are sandblasted appliques and the crown sits more closely next to the case. While the case retains its dimensions, the diameter is 1.5 mm wider, further revealing a dial featuring a more distinctive relief.