THE SECRET OF THE PYRAMID
This is both a watch and a piece of jewellery, where the time is discreet, hidden beneath a metal cabochon in the three new versions of this model by Hermès
Well known for its fun, creative spirit, Hermès likes to give objects a new identify and offer them a form that is far away from their original purpose. This was the case for the pyramid-shaped nails decorating leather hunting dogs’ collars in the early 20th century, which the Parisian brand incorporated into its belts in the 1930s and later into its bracelets. In 1993, the famous rounded stud became a secret watch named Médor, the French equivalent of “Rex” or “Fido”.
To get the summer off to a beautiful start, Hermès has launched three new models of the Médor Rock, still with its pyramid-shaped cover and four delicately curved facets. The cover and the small square 16x16mm case are made of steel and available in polished metal or coated in coloured lacquer, with some versions set off by two interlacing rows of 44 diamonds. A press on the crown produces an “Open Sesame” effect to reveal the dial. The square face comes with triangular hour markers and is dressed in silvered opaline on the polished steel models, but assumes warmer tones for the lacquered versions, together with quite classic colours on the pyramidal dome: white, black, red vermilion and ink blue. The hours and minutes are displayed at the centre with the help of small sword-shaped hands, driven by a quartz movement.
Since Hermès is the great leather specialist – an experience derived from its original profession as saddlemakers – the straps made for these Médor Rock watches complement the spirit of elegance. The triple-tour pieces made of smooth leather (red, etoupe grey, russet, blue, orange), grained leather (white) or Barenia leather (natural, black) are worn on the wrist with a steel tang buckle.
Price: 3,600 CHF (polished steel) – 4,100 CHF (lacquered steel) – 6,000 (lacquered steel and diamonds) hermes.com
By Sharmila Bertin