Marquetry with Straw…
Hermès honours the ancient art of straw marquetry, a form of
expertise that has become extremely rare, with these two beautifully
dialed watches. Marquetry (also spelled as marqueterie) is the art
and craft of applying pieces of veneer to a structure to form decorative
patterns, designs or pictures. Presented for the first time on a watch
dial, the Hermès Arceau Marqueterie de Paille (literally, “marquetry of
straw”) watches reflect a highly complex miniaturisation of the
marquetry technique. The blue and black motifs depict two iconic
Hermès tie patterns featuring chevrons and tiny squares. The rye straw
used in these models is produced by only one farm in France — read more
about the process below. These two collector’s models are presented
together in a precious Makassar ebony presentation box, itself adorned
with straw marquetry. Magnificent!!!!
Hermès Arceau Marqueterie de Paille
41mm white gold case, automatic
mechanical movement exclusively for Hermes by Manufacture Vaucher, matt
indigo blue alligator strap

These two watches feature the Hermès Arceau model’s signature
asymmetrical lugs, however the the distinctive italic typeface of the
Arceau hour-markers has vanished so as to give pride of place to the
exceptional straw marquetry graving the dial.

Mass-coloured on the spot and then laid out flat to dry, the straw
which is subjected to weather conditions, variations in humidity and
various baths, never displays the exact same shades of colours. Its
natural colours subtly illuminate the marquetry motifs. Split open with a
thin blade and then manually flattened with a bone tool, the wisps are
then cut up into various lengths. This calls for accurate gestures and
considerable physical strength. Playing with the colours and the
directions of the various wisps, the artisan assembles his motifs on a
sheet of graph paper. Glued in much the same way as a leather book
binding, the straw marquetry motif is then assembled on the watch dial.

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