The Hermès H08 Continues Its Stylish Evolution with Two New Titanium Versions
Today, the Maison’s watchmaking team debuts two new models that bring even more of the lightness and durability of titanium to the Hermès H08’s ongoing story.
By Mike Espindle
Executive Editor
Just last week, trusty Watchonista contributor Rhonda Riche explored the recent-but-potent history and stylish appeal of the Hermès H08. The timing couldn’t have worked out better, as today, the watchmaker has added two new titanium Hermès H08 models to the collection. While the innovations of both new pieces continue the model’s artful and sensuous juxtapositions of geometry, color, and materials, they also fall perfectly into the sporting spirit of what Hermès calls its “masculine universe.”
Both are powered by the Manufacture Hermès H1837 self-winding movement (the decorated movement is visible via exhibition casebacks), and both sport light, grained dials with the unmistakable Hermès deco-era font for hour indicators. Each also offers a different path for the Hermès H08’s ongoing evolution. Let’s take a look.
Metal Magic
The first of the new examples adds a touch of vibrant orange to the tip of the second hand that sweeps elegantly around the circular dial with its beautifully integrated, understated date window between 4 and 5 o’clock.
As with all Hermès H08 executions, this piece’s circular dial sits on a rounded, squared-off bezel, which, in turn, sits on an elongated, gently angled base, creating one of the most distinctive and harmoniously balanced cushion cases you are likely to come across.
Available on boldly complementary weave-patterned rubber straps (one orange to pick up the hand tip’s pop of color, as well as darker rubber options in “bleu abyss” and black), let’s take a nice, long look at the unique integrated titanium-link bracelet options, shall we?
While the titanium case components present with an appropriately elegant brushed finish, the bracelet links can be described as polished and then “more polished.” The “H” of the primary links carries a gleam you wouldn’t expect from titanium, but the large, rounded (almost oval) mid-links shine more than most any titanium watch execution I’ve seen recently.
Unexpected details like this make this “sport” watch an in-the-know choice with plenty of fashionable style points.
Color Play
For the second new variation, a focus on color, particularly a house-signature light blue hue Hermès refers to as “St. Cyr Blue,” comes into play, with the Maison’s distinctive numeral font taking on a pleasing robin’s egg blue on the outlined, lumed hour indices.
The colorway is explored more subtly on numbers in the understated date window, which is now in the same St. Cyr Blue, and more abundantly with a matching light blue woven rubber strap.
Finally, a black ceramic bezel frames the grey dial’s “blueness.” You can also get this model with a black woven rubber strap instead of blue if you would prefer to have a complement to that bezel and offer a more contrasting color vibe overall.
Pricing & Availability
Pricing for the new Hermès H08 models detailed above was not available at press time, but the existing models range from the mid-$6,000s to up to $16,400 for gold case executions. You can learn more via Hermès’ website.
(Photography by Papillon Medias)