Hermès proves that whimsy and haute horlogerie can coexist with the Arceau Jour de Casting, a trio of playful timepieces celebrating the charm of the canine world. Designed by Henri d’Origny in 1978, the Arceau’s distinctive round case with stirrup-shaped lugs provides an elegant stage for Hermès’ creativity, this time inspired by Liz Stirling’s Jour de Casting silk scarf. At the centre of each dial, three impeccably groomed dogs – Orson, Amy, and Taco – pose with their finest collars beside a tiny leather bone, a witty nod to the Maison’s equestrian and leatherworking heritage.
Each dog showcases a different artisanal mastery. Orson, crafted in wood marquetry, is assembled from eight varieties of wood, each detail carefully cut, placed, and painted to create texture and depth. Amy, with her bright spectacles, is born of engraving and enamel painting, where layers of colour and delicate brushwork capture her lively expression. Taco, the most exuberant of the trio, comes to life in miniature cloisonné enamel, his white coat and golden-lined fur built up through successive firings in vivid shades of blue and white.
Framed by a white gold case set with seventy-one diamonds and powered by the self-winding Hermès H1912 movement, each Arceau Jour de Casting is produced in just twelve or twenty-four pieces.