Hermès may be synonymous with horses but its latest creation, the Arceau Jour de Casting, Hermès celebrates man’s best friend “dogs” through a trio of beguiling portraits..
The Hermès Arceau Jour de Casting celebrates artisanal mastery with three delightfully mischievous dogs—Orson, Amy and Taco—on each dial, their charm immortalised through exceptional artisanal techniques: wood marquetry, miniature painting and cloisonné enamel.
Each 38 mm white gold case, set with 71 diamonds, houses the self-winding Hermès H1912 movement with a 50-hour power reserve. Limited editions of 12 or 24 pieces pair the artistic dials with matching Swift calfskin straps, blending horology with whimsical design.
Each of these limited editions represents a masterclass in craftsmanship.
Hermès Arceau Jour de Casting “Orson”
Rendered entirely in wood marquetry against a striking black and white palette. Like assembling an impossibly intricate jigsaw puzzle, artisans meticulously cut, assemble, and glue each detail of this distinguished dog using eight different types of wood. The muzzle, eyes, nose, and tongue are then painted to create subtle light and depth effects that bring remarkable dimensionality to the dial.
A genuine leather bone—a playful nod to Hermès’ legendary leather craftsmanship—sits beside Orson, completing this masterwork of marquetry. Limited to just 12 pieces, this interpretation pairs with a noir Swift calfskin strap.
Hermès Arceau Jour de Casting “Amy”
Amy, the bespectacled beauty with her textured frames, comes to life through the patient work of Hermès’ engraving atelier and leather application. Born from the artisan’s dexterity, the design emerges under subtle brushstrokes showcasing a vibrant color palette against a hand-painted engraved dial.
Successive firing operations enhance the work with nuances and details that capture this mischievous character’s personality. The warm tones of the composition find perfect complement in an Ambre Swift calfskin strap. Limited to 24 pieces, Amy represents the middle ground between exclusivity and accessibility within this trilogy.
Hermès Arceau Jour de Casting “Taco”
Taco, with his laughing eyes and irresistible expression, showcases the most technically demanding technique: miniature, leather, and cloisonné enamel. The artisan begins by applying a thin layer of blue enamel to the dial, then hand-painting the dog’s white coat against a snailed background. The cloisonné enamel technique accentuates the relief effects of the fur and the depth of the collar, with gold wires of varying thicknesses delineating areas reserved for decoration before melting into the enamel during firing.
This painstaking process requires a wide range of colors to achieve the richly refined finish that gives Taco his lifelike presence. Paired with a Bleu jean Swift calfskin strap and limited to 24 pieces, this interpretation represents Hermès’ mastery of one of watchmaking’s most unforgiving decorative arts.
