As Philippe Delhotal, Creative Director of La Montre Hermès, points out: “The collection was born from encounters between the Maison, designers and artisans. The singular blend of contemporary and classic elegance embodied in Slim d’Hermès expresses the essence of Hermès.”

Graphic arts and horological skills meet and mingle in perfect harmony in a quest for aesthetic purity. The in-house expertise is expressed through the dial, the case and the ultra-thin Manufacture calibre. The exceptionally understated lines are accentuated by the slenderness of the case, while the design of the lugs forms a right angle. Their momentum extends right the way to the spring bars around which the strap appears to coil. The result is the epitome of extreme simplicity, striking the perfect balance between rigorous discipline and visual equilibrium.

An unsual font

With Slim d’Hermès, Philippe Apeloig has for the first time drawn the typographic essence of a watch line. This font with its light, understated rhythm, is generously revealed on a broad dial opening.

“I built it around fundamentals, just as a composer places only seven notes on a musical stave to create a symphony”, explains Philippe Apeloig. “I’m inspired by the human body in motion, and I explore volumes and rhythm through recurrent and overlapping motifs.”

The outline of the numerals respects the natural function of a watch: ensuring the legibility of time, free of any superfluous elements. Designed like geometrical shapes, the hour-markers are drawn in a single stroke, without any counterweights on the ends. Just as rests accentuate the melody in a musical score, the lines are sometimes interrupted, representing silent areas in the design that depict the cadence of time.

The simple and elegant dial surface comprises three different levels: a first circle for the chapter ring, a second central disc, and finally a small seconds subdial.

The artist’s palette lighting up the collection

Hermès debuted the collection in 2015 with a Slim d’Hermès Manufacture driven by an ultra-thin H1950 movement and a Slim d’Hermès Perpetual Calendar – both measuring 39.5 mm in diameter – as well as 32 mm and 25 mm ladies’ models.

Ladies are now also treated to a Slim d’Hermès Manufacture 39.5 mm version, equipped with an ultra-thin movement and enlivened by alligator straps in vibrant colours – sapphire blue, elephant grey, geranium, cassis or simply black – while featuring versions set with white diamonds. An opaline silvered dial lights up the Slim d’Hermès Manfuacture dedicated to women. In the gemset version, 66 white diamonds delicately frame its circumference.

For men, the model is enhanced by new shades with a slate grey dial and matching elephant grey alligator strap; while a matt indigo strap complements the hue of the Slim d’Hermès midnight blue. Crafted in the Hermès leather workshops, these straps stem directly from the saddlery and leather-making expertise cultivated by the Maison.

The H1950 movement

At the heart of the Slim d’Hermès Manufacture beats the H1950 ultra-thin movement. Revealed through the transparent sapphire crystal caseback, it drives displays of the hours, minutes and small seconds at 6 o’clock. The 2.6 mm calibre ensures a 42-hour power reserve. Automatic winding is ensured by a technically complex micro-rotor. The finishes, including hand-chamfered bridges, reflect profound respect for watchmaking traditions and like all Hermès movements, Calibre H1950 is carpeted with a “sprinkling of Hs” motif.

From initial sketch to final timepiece, Slim d’Hermès Manufacture composes a majestic symphony skilfully interweaving graphic arts with watchmaking techniques.