Horse around: playful equestrian codes rule in Apple and Hermès’ new collaboration

Equestrian influences take centre stage in the new Apple Watch Hermès Series 8, which brings a playful horsemanship-inspired design to the watch face, strap and AirTag.

Hermès gives a mischievous nod to its heritage with a knowing horse’s head on the watch face, drawn in bold colours that change depending on both the wearer’s mood and their movements. At ten past ten, the hands become a harness on the horse’s head, which itself darkens as the day goes on, with the horse giving an occasional reassuring wink.

The new strap, too, nods to Hermès’ equestrian history in a reference to the exquisite hand-stitched saddles created by Thierry Hermès in the late 19th century. The Gourmette strap adds a hand-polished steel chain to the traditional Apple watch band, extending its silhouette to create a double tour band. The curb chain links bring an edgy elegance to a classic design; although purists may prefer the all-leather version or the calfskin H Diagonal strap, which rethinks a traditional motif.

Also imbued with a sense of fun is the Apple AirTag Hermès in Swift calfskin, now embossed with a house, bicycle or boat symbol.

The new collection marks the latest update in the collaboration between Apple and Hermès, which began in 2015, the result of a dialogue between Hermès’ artistic director Pierre-Alexis Dumas and Apple’s former chief design officer Jony Ive.

The original Apple watch has since been rethought in multiple iterations, with ceramic, aluminium, titanium and stainless steel versions composed in a rainbow of hues.

INFORMATION

apple.com