Fashion houses and horology have rarely made comfortable bedfellows, but progress being made by the likes of Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Hermès is breathing life into the genre.
Hermès, in particular, has turned a side hustle into a business turning over CHF 521 million in watches last year, according to investment bank Morgan Stanley.
That’s bigger than the watch businesses of Blancpain, Chopard, Bulgari and Breguet.
Key to Hermès’ success has been blending its signature style elements with respectable horology and appropriate pricing.
A fresh example this week is the Arceau Belles du Mexique watch, which uses a design inspired by traditional Mexican dancers that was first seen on a Hermès silk scarf in 2017.
The colourful design is reproduced with hand painted disks that twirl on a choice of pink or orange dials.
The centre of each dial is decorated with a ring of 23 diamonds. An additional 82 diamonds bring sparkle to the bezels.
Both come in 38 mm white gold cases and are worn on alligator straps matching the dial colors.
Priced at £61,000, they are powered by the manufacture Hermès H1912 time-only movement.
