The Ciel Étoilé is now presented in stainless steel, enhanced with 70 gleaming brilliant-cut diamonds (All photos: Hermés)
Crater-pocked, the moon harbours little except when we ascribe meaning to it, either with our spaceships or our minds. Hermès drew inspiration from the cosmos to produce the Arceau Petite Lune in a 38mm white gold case with diamonds, a moon phase aperture at 10.30 and an aventurine dial. Its recent iteration, the Ciel Étoilé, still sports the same size but is now presented in stainless steel, enhanced with 70 gleaming brilliant-cut diamonds.
Some defining characters did not change. The watch designed by Henri d’Origny in 1978 still bears the round-shaped stirrup, which pays homage to the brand’s equestrian roots. The setting frames a celestial dial that captures the gaze and attention of those enamoured with the mysteries of the universe.
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To give wearers an uninterrupted view of the canopy of stars, the midnight blue lacquer dial has no hour markers, with only elegant rhodium-plated leaf-shaped hands to indicate time. The glittering galaxy is brought to life by the Manufacture Hermès H1837, which refers to the year the maison was founded. Created in collaboration with Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier circa 2012, this lean 3.7mm automatic is fitted with a double barrel, runs at a frequency of 4Hz and offers a power reserve of 42 hours. The sapphire crystal caseback unveils the circular-grained and satin-brushed finishes, as well as motifs of the letter “H” adorning the bridges and oscillating weight.
If anyone was capable of linking the awe of equestrianism to the notion of space, it would be Hermès. The Arceau Petite Lune Ciel Étoilé comes with a sapphire-blue alligator strap, crafted with the brand’s expertise in saddlery and fine leather goods.
This article first appeared on Feb 5, 2024 in The Edge Malaysia.
