The new Arceau Grande Lune features a wider case and a deep blue dial with a sunburst motif. First revealed in 1978 by designer Henri d’Origny, the round watch was reinterpreted by imagining a classic and singular curve.
Hermès Arceau Grande Lune
The Case and Dial
Sized at 43 mm, the dial with a relatively thick bezel commands a significant wrist presence. Its case uses an asymmetrical stirrup-shaped lug which is essentially a wire lug, and an almost integrated lug at the opposite end.
The dial uses italicized roman numerals rotating in a circular direction, creating a sense of motion on the dial. Otherwise, the sunburst blue dial has a typical triple calendar moonphase layout. A set of leaf hands is also a sensible yet predictable choice.
The new Arceau Grande Lune is paired with a matching Abyss blue alligator strap.
The calendar can be adjusted via pin buttons located at the sides of the case and the time via the onion crown. It is said that the dial, case and strap are all made in-house by Hermès watchmaking workshops.
The Movement
While there is no official specification of the movement used, it appears to be an ETA or Sellita variant. A likely candidate is the ETA 2982 with a calendar module visible through the caseback, and matches the price category that the watch is targeting.
Concluding thoughts
The Hermès Arceau Grande Lune is priced at US$6100. That’s a price point stiff in competition with Jaeger LeCoultre, Zenith and Omega. All of which offer in-house movements and more iconic timepieces.
Then again, the entry level Hermès watches maybe catered for the more fashion conscious consumer rather than learned watch collectors. For the latter, the Hermès L’heure de la lune does offer a more significant proposition.
