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1912: Jacqueline Hermès wears the first wristwatch ever created by Hermès.
2012: The workshops of La Montre Hermès revive this emblematic model while enhancing it with exceptional horological expertise.
“In The Pocket” is the name given to this pocket-watch that turns into a wristwatch at its owner’s whim. Nestled inside its leather jacket, it reinvents time and highlights the fine leather-working skills of the Maison. Paying vibrant tribute to the original model given to Jacqueline Hermès by her father 100 years ago, In The Pocket weaves delicate ties between past and present, hand-sewn by the Hermès artisans and exalted by a living leather strap that will acquire a unique patina with age.
Yesterday…
Jacqueline Hermès as a child could not wear a watch attached to her clothing or slipped into her pocket. Especially for her, her father devised an ingenious “porte-oignon” or pocket-watch holder designed to fasten it onto the wrist. Drawing upon the original harness and saddle-making know-how of the House, he created a leather strap similar to those worn by the Lads. It encased the pocket-watch, adopting its shape and its curve so as to ensure optimal protection. This object embodies Hermès’ full wealth of inventiveness, which has been expressed ever since through its timepiece collections offering a blend of creativity and functionality.
In The Pocket: exceptional expertise
Three layers of leather compose the longer and shorter parts of the strap: Barenia leather, an unfinished full-grain leather that is both natural and alive; an inner cow skin reinforcement chosen for its sturdiness; and a Zermatt calfskin lining.
First comes the cutting process: cut and then split into two, the hides are soaked and then moulded in a die. They dry in this way for 10 days before being cut with a pointed tool, split again, sanded and glued. Each of the parts is then partially stitched. The longer part is perforated to free the space through which the dial will be visible as well as the slit through which the shorter part will be inserted and the hole through which the crown will emerge.
Then comes the “table” phase in which the shorter and longer parts are put together and then marked with a compass, hallmarked and sewn according to the saddle-stitch technique.
And at last it’s time for finishing, which involves hammering the stitching, marking a furrow between the sewing line, dyeing and polishing with bees’ wax.
Slowly and patiently, one operation after another, the artisans at La Montre Hermès have developed “In The Pocket”, a tribute to the Maison’s early involvement in the field of watchmaking.
Movement
Mechanical self-winding movement, H1837, made in Switzerland 26 mm in diameter (11 1⁄2‘’’) 3.7 mm thick
28’800 vibrations per hour (4Hz) 50-hours power reserve
Mainplate circular-grained and snailed, bridges and oscillating weight satin -brushed and adorned with a “sprinkling of H symbols”
Case
Round, 40 mm in diameter (49 mm with the leather strap) 950 palladium (47.7 g) Water-resistant to 3 atm
Functions
Hours, minutes, small seconds at 3 o’clock
Dial
Grained silver-toned
Glass
Anti-glare sapphire crystal
Straps
Interchangeable ebony Barenia leather Ebony Barenia leather cord-strap
Buckle
17 mm buckle in 950 palladium (3.75 g)
Reference
038880WW00
Edition
Limited to 24 pieces
