Hermès new watch puts playful, innovative spin on world timer complication

HERMES adds a new model and complication to its Arceau collection with the new Le temps voyageur, which it unveiled last month (march) at Watches and Wonders Geneva 2022.

The two time-zone watch is a playful one because one of the first things that you will notice is that the map on the dial features countries that nobody has ever heard of.

This is because the map is actually a fantasy one based on a giant globe created by the French graphic designer, Jérôme Colliard, for the 2016 Saut Hermès showjumping competition in Paris.

Hence, you will find horse riding terms like “dressage” doubling as country names. The move is also a nod to the French luxury house's humble beginnings as a harness, bridle and saddle maker for the carriage trade.

This fantasy equestrian world is slowly revealed as the mobile world time satellite sub-dial 'travels' around the outermost cities ring, telling the local time. The home time, meanwhile, is displayed at the 12 o'clock position at the top of the dial.

Developed exclusively for Hermes by Chronode - which specialises in developing highly complicated movements that break new grounds in haute horology - the Arceau Le temps voyageur is an innovative cross between a world timer and a GMT.

With just one circular disc, it can display 24 time zones.

This unique "travelling time" complication module has 122 components and is integrated within Hermès' H1837 mechanical self-winding movement. It measures just 4.4 mm thick.

The Arceau Le temps voyageur is crafted in platinum and matt black DLC-treated titanium (41mm) or steel (38mm) in a round case with Hermes' signature asymmetrical lugs.

A variety of finishes – lacquered, sandblasted, sunburst, transferred, powdered silver – combine to give textures and depth to the black or deep blue dial.