A closer look at Hermès’ art of leather marquetry

A trusted purveyor of leatherworking, fine craftsmanship and watchmaking, Hermès’ multi-disciplinary expertise takes the spotlight in two recent creations from the Maison’s watch arsenal: the Arceau Cavales and Slim d’Hermès Les Zèbres de Tanzanie. Both models feature the art of leather marquetry, a delicate form of craftsmanship which requires a meticulous approach akin to that of assembling a watch movement.

Leather marquetry is a fine craft

 

On the dials, Hermès beloved animal motifs are reimagined in colourful patchwork patterns through leather marquetry. The vivid profiles of horses and zebras are carefully assembled within the confines of the 41mm dials, composed of articulately-cut calfskin fragments that are not only really tiny, but also ultra-thin at around 0.55mm in thickness.

Each fragment is carefully cut the exact shape and size

 

The Arceau Cavales takes two of the Maison’s signature colours — Hermès Red and Indigo Blue — and their chromatic hues to form a patchwork motif with bold, elegant lines inspired by the ‘Samarcande’ chess set. On the Slim d’Hermès Les Zèbres de Tanzanie, the art of champlevé, enamelling and leather marquetry go hand-in-hand on the captivating dial. The miniature-painted zebra is flanked by fine stripes of leather in different shades and textures, making it a stunner to be admired up-close.

Painting on the stripes.

Then, the tiny calfskin tesserae are applied one by one. The entire process of enamelling and leather marquetry takes up to 26 hours.

 

 

Both white gold models are produced in very limited series. Only six pieces of the Arceau Cavales will be available in each colourway, while the Slim d’Hermès Les Zèbres de Tanzanie is issued in limited edition of 12 pieces.

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