Hermès revisits the Arceau design by Henri d’Origny with a new interpretation titled Arceau Rocabar de rire, blending fine watchmaking with the playful spirit of the house. At its center, a cheeky horse drawn from Dimitri Rybaltchenko’s Rocabar de rire silk scarf takes shape through horsehair marquetry, engraving and miniature painting. Set within a 41 mm white or rose gold case, the watch balances humour and heritage, echoing the striped saddle blankets of Hermès tradition with strands of horsehair placed one by one onto the dial.
The animation is activated by a pusher at 9 o’clock, where the horse cheekily sticks out its tongue on cue. This mobile element is sculpted with traditional burins, hand-painted in micro-layers and kiln-fired to reveal depth and vivid tones. The backdrop, a weave of vibrant horsehair, enhances the composition’s texture and energy. Every element on the dial is created by hand, uniting techniques that demand both precision and patience.
Powered by the Hermès H1837 movement, the Arceau Rocabar de rire offers hours, minutes and a mechanical trick that hides beneath its charm. Visible through a sapphire case-back, the calibre is finished with sprinklings of the letter H across its bridges and rotor. Paired with a blue or gray alligator strap, these 12-piece limited edition quietly celebrates craftsmanship, character and the enduring wit woven into the Hermès universe.
