Hermès H08 Only Watch
Two-Of-A-Kind: Introducing The Hermès H08 Only Watch
The luxury brand unveils two-of-a-kind timepieces for the charity auction.
By Rhonda Riche
Editor-At-Large
The biennial Only Watch auction is kind of like the Met Gala of the watch world – a chance for both established and up-and-coming Maisons to flex their savoir-faire with one-off examples of their craftsmanship.
And, like the Met Gala, the event is held for a good cause. Fifty-four brands are taking part in this year’s edition, held in collaboration with Christie’s, to raise funds for research against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
This year, Hermès is showing off its skills by presenting not just one, but two timepieces – the H08 Only Watch reference SP1.741b.333/1C4 (featuring an orange rubber strap) and SP1.741c.334/2100 (made of full titanium, including the bracelet). This dynamic duo will be auctioned off as a single lot.
Sporting Life
The H08 is already a unique watch. The newest member of Hermès’ horological family, it was launched at Watches and Wonders 2021. It's the result of a collaboration between the brand’s creative director, Véronique Nichanian, artistic director Pierre-Alexis Dumas, and Philippe Delhotal, artistic director of Hermès Horloger.
What makes the H08 stand out is its complex geometries. The hallmark of this sports-inspired timepiece is its circular dial framed by a 39mm x 39mm cushion-like case. Other angular elements include an integrated bracelet and its distinctive typography (no one does a font like Hermès).
For Only Watch, the expertise of Hermès’ artisans is also on display. Both pieces feature titanium cases and black gold dials, with subtle orange details popping out. Orange, of course, is Hermès signature color, which is further emphasized in the rubber strap version of the H08 Only Watch.
Team Effort
For these two unique pieces, Hermès also collaborated with Parmigiani Fleurier’s movement manufacture, Vaucher, for the movements; Joseph Erard Holding for the cases; and Natéber for the dials.
Hermès has a stake in Vaucher, so the robust H1837 movement qualifies as in-house. The calibre has a diameter of 26.6mm, a thickness of 3.70 mm, a reasonable power reserve of 50 hours produced by double-barrel mainsprings, and runs at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour).
Estimated to sell between CHF 14,000 and 18,000 at auction, the watches come in a single orange and black presentation box.
The auction will take place on November 6, 2021, at 2 PM (Geneva time), at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Geneva, Switzerland.
(Photography by Pierre Vogel)
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