After given the carte blanche, artist Henri d’Origny embarked on a creative journey to produce an extravagant and one-of-a-kind timepiece with miniature painting for Hermès. Inspired by the silk scarf created by illustrator and designer Alice Shirley, the Arceau Tyger Tyger motif was transferred from silk to metal by renowned enameller, Anita Porchet, who is a frequent collaborator of Hermes.
The Arceau Tyger Tyger is a limited edition watch, referenced from the inspired asymmetric case which made its debut in 1978. It features a 41mm white-gold case with sapphire crystal and case back, with anti-glare treatment and is water resistant to 30m.
Powered by mechanical self-winding, Hermès ultra-thin H1937 movement, the limited edition motif at only 12 examples has a power reserve of 50 hours and is available in large-size. Finally, the watch is completed with a matt indigo alligator strap equipped with a 17 mm pin buckle in 750 white gold.
Hermès: Arceau Tyger Tyger
The dial features a miniature enamel painting paired with cloisonné enamel techniques that was taken on exceptional luminosity by dint of patience, talent and successive firings in the kiln, meticulousness, eyes for details and a pair of sturdy hands to bring alive the design of the “Tyger Tyger” motif as vividly as it is lavishly appealing to the discerning.
This is when the cloisonné enamel technique truly comes into play – the design process involved creating the lush vegetation surrounding the tiger as seen in the miniature painting. The shimmering chiaroscuro of a full moon night sparkles with joy and grandiosity and the majestic feline takes shape with the placing of tiny gold wires marking off the surfaces to be enamelled. After which, the enamel is then applied with a layer of glossy finish to complete the miniature painting.
When Hermes decided to call upon the artist to design exclusive timepieces for watch collectors and aficionados, Hermes puts it beautifully in words of the works of their artist representatives: “stemming from skills orchestrated by the deft hands of artists, miniature paintings encounter other nimble fingers: those of the watchmaking artisans of the Manufacture Hermès, who create the movements, cases and straps of these four limited series representing vibrant tributes to creative talent.”
Because for Hermès, rather than measuring, ordering, and seeking to control it, Hermès revels in constantly reinventing, explores time with designs that can arouse emotions, open up interludes and create spaces for spontaneity and recreation.
Case designed by Henri d’Origny (1978), featuring 750 white gold with round case of 41 mm in diameter and 21 mm lug width, and sapphire crystal and case-back with anti-glare treatment and water-resistant up to 3 bar
Dial in 750 white gold enamel features miniature painting with applied cloisonné enamel techniques to create the “Tyger Tyger” motif designed by Alice Shirley
Movement Manufacture Hermès ultra-thin H1937 movement Mechanical self-winding, Swiss made with “Sprinkling of Hs” motif and circular-grained and snailed mainplate satin-brushed bridges and oscillating weight
Functions Hours and minutes
Strap Matt indigo alligator equipped with a 17 mm pin buckle in 750 white gold (≈ 5.34 g)
For more information on Arceau Tyger Tyger for Hermès, please visit http://singapore.hermes.com.
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