La Montre Hermès - History
Time Line
1912 : Jacqueline Hermès, the daughter of Emile Hermès, is pictured wearing a pocket-watch graced with a Hermès strap, an object that illustrates the family's early interest in wristwatches.
Jacqueline Hermès
1920s
Hermès crafts and markets watch straps.
1928: Hermès begins selling watches at 24, Faubourg Saint-Honoré with the Ermeto, a pocket-watch that is automatically wound by a system of shutters that slide open and shut each time one reads the time. Made in conjunction with the Swiss watch Manufacture Movado, this watch is endowed with a leather sheath made by Hermès.
1930s
Mechanical sports watches, brooch-watches, clocks and table clocks. Regular cooperation with Jaeger, Universal, Vacheron & Constantin.
circa 1935 : Pocket-watch commissioned by King Carol II of Rumania, with the family coat-of-arms engraved on the pink gold and steel case.
1940
Several chronograph models
1945 : Belt-watch belonging to Umberto II of Italy, in yellow gold. Model produced by the Manufacture in Tavannes, and available to Hermès' golfing clients since 1928.
1950s-60s
Numerous new wristwatches in steel for men and in gem-set gold for ladies.
Footing model, also known as "Etrier" (or stirrup), Jaeger movement.
1970s
1975 : Kelly, quartz watch directly inspired by the famous Hermès bag.
1978 : Jean-Louis Dumas, already CEO of Hermès, is appointed President of the group on the death of his father.
La Montre Hermès SA is founded in Bienne, Switzerland. A full-fledged subsidiary of the House, it takes charge of the production and marketing of watches.
Launch of the Arceau model, inspired by the stirrup.
1980s
1981 : Clipper, a flagship model evoking the open seas thanks to its porthole-shaped bezel.
1985 : Rallye, with jointed lugs resembling a horse's bit.
1987 : Sellier with its "saddle stud" in the dial centre, created to mark the 150th anniversary of the House of Hermès.
1990s
1991 : Cape Cod, adorned in 1998 with a double wrap-around strap, based on an idea by Martin Margiela, Art Director for women's ready-to-wear at Hermès.
1993 : Médor, reminiscent of studded dog collars.
1996 : Harnais with its case "embedded" into its leather strap.
1997 : H-our which plays with the Hermès initial.
1999 : Belt, inspired by a belt buckle, with its interchangeable straps.
Espace and its double analog and digital display.
Inauguration of the new La Montre Hermès facility in Bienne (Switzerland), not far from the former workshops. As part of this event, launch of the Sésame skeleton or openworked watch.
2000 and onwards
2000 : Tandem, distinguished by its bevelled glass.
2001 : Nomade, featuring an autoquartz movement combining the precision of quartz with the technology of an automatic rotor system.
2002 : Paprika, a highly original watch inspired by a 1970s Hermès model.
2003 : Glissade, which makes time stand still... by concealing it.
Double anniversary year for Hermès: the prestigious Maison on the Faubourg St. Honoré celebrates 75 years in watchmaking, and La Montre Hermès subsidiary in Switzerland toasts its 25-year or silver jubilee.
2004 : Barénia, whose strap is a long span of leather without seams nor clasp. A patented system, which allows easy strap changing.
Dressage with retrograde calendar and moon-phase functions, movement of astronomical precision specially developed for Hermès by Vaucher.
2005 : La Montre Hermès launches new models - Kelly2, Arcole - and pursues its international development.
2006 : Launch of the Kilim jewellery model, of the Boule clock and of the Cherche Midi watch.
Cape Cod 8 days and Cape Cod 1928 are equipped with Vaucher movements.
October 20th: Hermès International is to invest CHF25 million (€15.7 million) to acquire a 25% stake in Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier.
Pendulette Boule
2007 : News products: Passe-passe, Cape Cod Moon Phases, Dressage Annual Calendar, Clipper automatic Chronograph et Clipper Automatic Diving Chronograph.
