The Hermès Galop d’Hermès Watch created in 2019 embodies a singular creative approach. It revisits the equestrian codes of the Maison with its stirrup inspired curve and appears in a new small-sized gold or steel interpretation. Galop d’Hermès was born from the detailed observations of Californian designer Ini Archibong, who immersed himself in the Hermès Conservatory of Creations. Bits, stirrups, bridles, harnesses: he blends his distinctive, bright and pared-down style with the avant-gardism and functional simplicity of Hermès objects. Closely bound up with the Mai son’s equestrian repertoire, Hermès Galop d’Hermès Watch morphs into a jewellery watch, lending its stirrup-like silhouette to three new Small Models (20 x 27.2 mm): one in non-gemset steel and two others in steel or rose gold adorned with 134 diamonds. Its curved case with its softened angles frames a generous dial punctuated by variously sized Arabic numerals. These are larger on the lower part of the display, expressing a sense of movement and perspective. Vividly evoking the speed and freedom of galloping, the progressive font – powdered and finely accentuated by touches of anthracite – stands out against a sandblasted background, while the hands sweep gently over a smooth opalescent surface. In a final nod to the world of horses, the 8 o’clock numeral forms the shape of an inverted stirrup. A calfskin or alligator strap crafted in the Hermès Horloger workshops prolongs the flowing nature of this creation’s aerodynamic and futuristic design.
A man’s view on the very feminine Galop d’Hermès. This is NOT a technical review in the usual Deployant style, but an attempt to journey into the world of feminine watches. The Hermès Galop d’Hermès Watch is a design by Ini Archibong, and a result of his observations on the bits, stirrups and harness in the Conservatoire des créations Hermès. The design inspiration is from the objects in the equestrian harness collection. He grasped the design intent – the inguinity and technicality, balance and distills it into the essence which becomes the Galop. The avant-garde nature and beauty is not lost, and the result is a product of very fine elegance.
That Hermès Galop d’Hermès Watch was a distill of the PR blurb that came with the release. Done in the way, which I think Ini Archibong, a young American designer used in distilling the design of the equestrian objects into the watch.
