Hermès

Hermès H08

Hermès has always maintained a strong relationship with time through its objects, heritage, and artisans’ work. The first timepieces date back to the 1920s when the company offered watches in the 24 Faubourg St-Honoré store in collaboration with renowned Swiss manufacturers. In 1978, Robert Dumas’ son, Jean-Louis Dumas, took over the reins of Hermès and gently revolutionized the company. Visionary and curious about everything and all cultures, he orchestrated the development of new métiers and conquered new markets worldwide with audacity and imagination. Faithful to its artisanal model and entrepreneurial spirit, the Maison creates objects based on unique craftsmanship, such as watchmaking.

Hermès began its integration strategy in 2006 by purchasing a 25% stake in Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier (movements). That same year, the leather workshop was inaugurated in La Montre Hermès S.A. site in Brügg, joining the assembly workshop established in 1978. Since then, Hermès Horloger has acquired two historical partners, Natéber (dials) and Joseph Erard (cases), in 2012 and 2013, respectively, to create Les Ateliers d’Hermès Horloger in 2017 in Le Noirmont. Today, Hermès Horloger is a fully-fledged watch manufacturer with all skills mastered in-house and 100% Swiss production while remaining faithful to the strong values of the company and its authenticity.

Hermès creates objects shaped by artisans’ hands to make them true companions for those who wear them: practical, functional, and stemming from uncompromising expertise, they radiate the lightness of the unexpected. They make everyday life their playground and each instant a uniquely special moment. For Hermès, time is also an object. The house translates its inherent tension into a singular characteristic. Rather than measuring, ordering, and seeking to control it, Hermès dares to explore another time designed to arouse emotions, open up interludes and create spaces for spontaneity and recreation.

Highlights

1837
Thierry Hermès, a harness-maker, and saddler, opens a workshop in Paris, creating the Hermès Maison
1912
Jacqueline Hermès is photographed wearing a “Porte-oignon” bracelet strap crafted by her father, Émile Hermès.
1928
Hermès introduces the Ermeto watch, the first watch bearing the Hermès signature, at 24, Faubourg Saint-Honoré.
1920
For over 40 years, Hermès creates “guardians of time” in cooperation with the greatest names in Swiss watchmaking.
1978
Jean-Louis Dumas creates La Montre Hermès S.A. in Bienne, Switzerland. In the same year, Hermès launches the Arceau collection.
2006
Marking the beginning of the vertical integration strategy, Hermès acquires a 25% stake in Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier (movement manufacturer).
2011
Hermès launches the Arceau Le temps Suspendu, a GPHG award-winning timepiece in the "Men's Watch" category.
2012
Hermès Introduces the first manufacture calibers, the H1837 and H1912. The Maison also acquires its historical partner Natéber to allow the in-house production of its dials.
2013
Hermès begins making its watch cases in house after the acquisition of historical partner Joseph Erard.
2014
Axel Dumas, 6th generation of the Hermès family, becomes CEO of Hermès Group.
2015
Hermès launches the Slim d’Hermès line with the introduction of the extra-thin Hermès Manufacture movement H1950. The Slim d’Hermès Perpetual Calendar wins the GPHG Calendar Watch prize.
2017
Inauguration of Les Ateliers d’Hermès Horloger Manufacture in Le Noirmont (case & dial manufacture).
2018
The Arceau Robe du soir receives the GPHG prize in Métier d’Art category for its in-house leather mosaic technique.
2019
The GPHG Calendar & Astronomy prize is awarded to the Arceau L’heure de la lune singular complication.
2021
Introduction of the Hermès H08 collection.
2022
Launch of the Arceau Le temps voyageur singular complication, winning GPHG awards for both ladies' and mens' complication categories.
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