Introducing Hermès Unveils the Arceau Jour de Casting Collection

Unveiled by Hermès, the Arceau Jour de Casting comprises three watches that express the playful spirit of the animal world through exceptional métiers d’art. Miniature painting, wood marquetry and enamel come together to reveal three portraits of mischievous, impeccably groomed dogs.

Designed by Henri d’Origny in 1978, the Arceau watch embodies the equestrian heritage of the Maison through its distinctive lines and curves. Its round case, defined by stirrup-inspired asymmetrical lugs, offers a natural canvas for expressing the imaginative universe of Hermès. In this instance, it plays host to a bestiary inspired by the Jour de casting silk scarf designed by artist Liz Stirling.

The undeniable centrepiece of these watches is the dial. Here, Hermès pays a playful yet sophisticated tribute to the animal kingdom, rendered through miniature painting, wood marquetry, enamel and leather. Three characters — Orson, Amy and Taco — are brought to life not as mere decorative motifs, but as vivid, expressive portraits imbued with personality.

Through a rich array of artisanal techniques, the three Arceau Jour de Casting watches showcase an impressive breadth of savoir-faire. Each dog is framed by a 38 mm white gold case set with 71 diamonds. The stirrup-inspired asymmetrical lugs subtly reference the Maison’s origins, while the crown, topped with a rose-cut diamond, adds a final touch of brilliance. Both the sapphire crystal and caseback feature anti-reflective treatment, and the watch offers a water resistance of 30 metres.

The black-and-white Orson is crafted using wood marquetry. Resembling a finely assembled jigsaw puzzle, each element of the animal is meticulously cut, assembled and glued by hand. The muzzle, eyes, nose and tongue are then delicately painted to create effects of light and depth across the eight different types of wood used to compose the dial.

Amy, recognisable by her textured spectacles, takes shape in the engraver’s workshop. The design comes to life under precise brushstrokes that reveal a vibrant colour palette. Successive firing operations enhance the enamel with subtle nuances, capturing the playful expression and lively character of this mischievous dog.

Taco, with his laughing eyes, is realised in miniature and cloisonné enamel. The artisan begins by applying an even layer of blue enamel to the dial, before hand-painting the dog’s white coat against a snailed background. The cloisonné technique is used to accentuate the relief of the fur and the depth of the collar. Gold wires of varying thickness delineate the decorative areas, melting into the enamel during firing. This demanding process requires a wide range of colours to achieve a richly nuanced and refined finish.

At its heart beats the Manufacture Hermès Caliber H1912, an automatic movement just 3.7 mm thick, visible through the sapphire caseback. The movement showcases fine finishing and the distinctive “sprinkling of Hs” motif across its bridges and oscillating weight. Offering a 50-hour power reserve, this caliber is the same reliable engine that powers previous Arceau models.

Each model is fitted with a Swift calfskin strap matched to the colour of its dial: Orson with noir, Amy with ambre, and Taco with bleu jean. The watches are produced in highly exclusive limited editions of 12 or 24 pieces, depending on the version.

In terms of pricing, the Amy edition, limited to just 24 pieces, is priced at USD 106,500, which corresponds to approximately AED 391,200.

The Orson edition, produced in an even more exclusive run of only 12 pieces, is priced at USD 116,600, equivalent to around AED 428,200.

Completing the trio, the Taco edition, also limited to 24 pieces, carries a price of USD 127,700, translating to approximately AED 469,000.

more information visit Hermès official website.