The display windows take up a miniaturised version of the emotive scenography that captured the hearts of attendees in Geneva (All photos: Hermès)
Step into the world of Hermès Horloger and be held spellbound by the maison’s sublime watchmaking artistry and workmanship expressed through the Crafting Time exhibition in Singapore.
Inspired by the aerial work of artist Clément Vieille, whose whimsical installations and animated sculptures transformed the Hermès pavilion at Watches & Wonders early this year into a stage of light and shadow, the display windows take up a miniaturised version of the emotive scenography that captured the hearts of attendees in Geneva.
The fluttering installations frame a curated number of high-complication and jewellery watches as well as exquisite metiers d’art pieces that showcase the maison’s impeccable leather marquetry, engraving and miniature and enamel painting know-how, among others.
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Must-see creations include the Arceau L’heure de la lune, which offers a unique vision of the Earth’s satellite with the simultaneous display of moon phases in both northern and southern hemispheres. The dial is inlaid with Martian meteorite, unearthed in 1996, adding a suitable celestial touch. A closer inspection of the limited-edition Arceau Robe du soir would reveal tiny leather fragments forming the mosaic of a horse profile reminiscent of the Robe du Soir silk scarf designed by Florence Manlik in 2018.
Visitors also have the opportunity to view the latest Spring/Summer silk-scarf-inspired timepiece, the Arceau Costume de Fête, alongside the Cheval Sirène and Le Sacre des Saisons versions. The undeniable showstopper, though, is the brilliant 2024 Hermès Klikti Casaque, set with a total of 162 diamonds and 99 purple sapphires. Ten sapphires are secured without prongs using an invisible baguette-cut setting, a complex technique that slides the gems along rails forged from metal.
The Crafting Time exhibition is ongoing at Takashimaya Shopping Centre until Sept 26 and will move to Marina Bay Sands from Sept 27 to Oct 3.
This article first appeared on Sept 25, 2023 in The Edge Malaysia.
