A subtle but refreshing cosmetic switch-up for the French luxury house’s daily beater
Like a delicious Kir Royale on a summer’s day—concocted with top-tier crème de cassis and champagne, naturally—the Hermès H08 is somewhat of a charming anomaly. The watch bears the undisputed pedigree of a respected luxury house, yet exudes a casual, almost friendly, disposition that can make one forget its blue-blooded heritage.
At its 2021 debut, the H08 collection proved to be an instant hit. Sportive, relaxed, and technically assured all at once, the watch was a crossover success of sorts, lassoing Hermès loyalists, casual fans, and serious watch aficionados in one fell swoop.
Ergonomically tuned design played a big part. As with so many iconic Hermès watches, the H08’s cushion-shaped case, marked by a soft silhouette, was accessible and comfortable on the wrist, yet assertive. On the dial, watch lovers were surprised with delightful details, such as the applied hour markers’ unique typeface, created especially for the collection, and baton hands with rounded edges that echo the case, among others.
The H08’s laidback athleticism, however, belies its no-nonsense performance. The H1837 automatic movement—developed by Hermès and made by movement specialist Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier, in which the luxury house has a stake—delivers uncompromising precision, backed by 50 hours of power reserve.
Four years on, all of the aforementioned virtues have become defining traits of the H08. This year, just to nudge the collection along and further elevate things, Hermès introduces two new iterations in titanium.
Everything we love about the H08 remains the same—the 39mm squarish cushion case, its winsome aesthetic accents, and its unassuming refinement—but is now fortified with the alloy’s famed lightweight hardiness. Incidentally, titanium’s muted grey sheen also contributes to the new watches’ look.
The bracelet version carries a boss-on-a-weekend vibe in its monochromatic hue, punctuated by an orange-tipped seconds hand, a nod to the official Hermès colour. The model with rubber strap is more vibrant, featuring a black ceramic bezel, along with light blue “Saint-Cyr” hour numerals and matching strap.
Certainly, we have seen bolder expressions of the H08—the versions in graphene composite cases, and mono-pusher chronographs come to mind. This titanium-clad duo, in contrast, appear to eschew overt showiness in favour of subtle presence. Which, in our book, isn’t a bad thing at all.
