The new Slim d’Hermès Squelette Lune joins the Slim d’Hermès collection, a line which was created in 2015. This skeletonized watch with moonphase display continues the line’s pure lines with a touch of complexity.
Press release information with commentary in italics.
Commentary
The Slim d’Hermès collection has always been a fascinating one with the combination of the sleek, almost simplistic round case combined with angular lugs. We have covered the line in two hands on reviews here:
The metiers d’Art Hermès Slim D’Hermès Cheval Ikat
The most complicated Slim d’Hermès Quantième Perpétuel in a beadblasted grade 5 titanium caseband and case-back is fit againsta 18k yellow gold bezel, gold crown and pusher.
This new Squelette Lune combines two of Hermès signatures – the Slim case design with the moonphase display first seen on Hermès Arceau L’Heure De La Lune in 2019. The moonphase display is much smaller than the Arceau L’Heure De La Lune, but its construction seems to be similarly worked – with two photo realistic moons representing the northern and southern phases of the moon. As far as we can tell from the press release photographs, the Pegasus motif present in the de la lune model does not appear here. And for good measure, made the dial an open worked one to showcase it. The skeleton dial is made in-house at Les Ateliers d’Hermès Horloger in Le Noirmont, Switzerland.
We have not yet seen the watch in the flesh, so to speak, yet. But have made our request to acquaint ourselves with it soon, and will report back with a hands on review.
Introducing: Slim d’Hermès Squelette Lune
Retail price is approximately USD 20,500.
The round case and angular lugs of the Slim d’Hermès Squelette Lune exemplify a blend of rigorous discipline and optimal balance, playing with paradoxes, hovering between touches that are at once classical and contemporary, understated and assertive. In a clever juxtaposition of materials, the beadblasted titanium case-middle is topped by a precious platinum bezel and a white gold crown, creating subtle light and texture
effects.
The deep shades of the skeletonised dial, accentuated by an airy architecture and alternating matt and glossy finishes, express both the character and the refinement of this beautiful horological object.
In keeping with the cosmic and dreamlike dimension of Hermès time, a double Moon, also openworked, completes this light and easily legible ensemble, swept over be slender blue hands matching the stitching on the alligator leather strap.
The hours, minutes and moon phases beat to the rhythm of the ultra-thin self-winding Hermès H1953 Manufacture movement, adorned with the ‘sprinkling of Hs’ motif. The finely fashioned movement, case and strap are crafted by artisans in the Hermès Horloger workshops, based on the inherent skills of the Maison.
Slim d’Hermès Squelette Lune specifications
CASE
Large Model (GM), ø 39.5 mm, round
Caseband and caseback in beadblasted grade 5 titanium (Ti 88%)
Bezel in 950 platinum (≈ 11.49 g)
750 white gold crown and pusher
Anti-glare sapphire crystal and caseback
DIAL
Skeletonised
Black-gold sunburst flange and grey-transferred minutes track
Blue PVD-coated hands
MOVEMENT
Ultra-thin H1953 Manufacture Hermes movement
Mechanical self-winding movement, crafted in Switzerland
FUNCTIONS
Hours, minutes, double moon-phase at 6 o’clock
BUCKLE
Grade 2 titanium (Ti 99%) pin buckle, 17 mm
STRAP
Matt graphite alligator
2 Comments
Thank you for the article and commentary, Peter.
I find this very attractive, and a surprisingly not insane price. I would be interested, when you get your hands on the actual watch, to know how they reproduced the moon – is it laser engraved? printed?
Thanks Daryll. The moon image is transfer printed on the moon disc.