Hermès introduces the Arceau Cheval Natté, an exclusive watch that transforms hundreds of silk threads into an extraordinary equestrian-inspired dial.
Hermès once again demonstrates how fine watchmaking can become a space for experimenting with techniques drawn from other artisanal disciplines. The French maison presents the Arceau Cheval Natté, a new interpretation of one of its most emblematic watches that introduces a material deeply connected to the house’s history: silk.
The dial is the true centrepiece. It features the geometric head of a horse constructed from nearly 400 individual silk threads, each carefully positioned to reproduce the equestrian motif with extraordinary precision. The result sits somewhere between watchmaking, textile art and miniature craftsmanship.
The starting point is the Hermès Arceau, originally designed by Henri d’Origny in 1978. Since then, its distinctive architecture has become a privileged canvas for the house to explore materials, artistic crafts and different interpretations of its historic connection with the equestrian world.
For this new edition, Hermès revisits a design created by Tong Ren, originally developed for home accessories. The composition depicts a horse’s head through geometric lines that visually fragment the figure, bringing a contemporary sensibility to one of the maison’s most traditional symbols.
Transferring that design to the dimensions of a watch dial required a complete reinterpretation. Rather than simply printing or painting the image, the artisans chose to reconstruct the horse in silk, positioning every thread individually and following a carefully predetermined direction.
The technique creates depth without compromising the clarity of the motif. Depending on how the light strikes the surface, the threads change in appearance, revealing different nuances of colour, texture and volume. Silk therefore moves beyond being a purely decorative element to become an integral part of the watch’s visual construction.
The arrangement of the threads also produces a subtle raised effect. As the wrist changes position, the horse’s head appears to shift slightly, reinforcing a sense of movement that once again connects the timepiece with Hermès’ equestrian heritage.
The Arceau Cheval Natté is offered in two different colour interpretations. The first draws on the vibrant palette of Tong Ren’s original creation, while the second adopts a more intense character through a combination of black, red and brown.
Both versions feature diamonds, which interact with the natural reflections of the silk and bring additional light to the composition. Hermès further enhances the dial through champlevé engraving, adding another level of precision around the woven motif.
Everything is framed by a 38mm rose gold case, a size that allows the elaborate dial to remain the focus without feeling excessive. Diamonds also appear around the exterior of the case, reinforcing the precious character of a piece conceived as both a sophisticated timekeeping instrument and an artistic object.
Inside sits the self-winding Manufacture Hermès H1912 movement. Its decorative finishing can be admired through the sapphire crystal case-back, offering a view of the mechanical craftsmanship that powers this remarkable creation.
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