Marquetry or marqueterie is a special technique used to form decorative patterns by applying pieces of veneer to the surface. This technique is often used to embellish furniture, walls, floors, but it looks particulary delicate on small decorative objects such as jewelery and watches. The marquetry technique originates from the 16th century Florence and throughout its history various marquetry techniques have been developed. Most commonly, the veneers used for marquetry are made of woods but they can also include more precious materials such as bone, mother-of-pearl, fine metals, or tortoiseshell.
Even though it looks very decorative, we don’t see many new watches finished in marquetry technique. This is why these two new watches by Hermès capture the attention of all watch enthusiasts. What Hermès offers is extremely rare and unique in its own way – a special technique of marquetry of straw, presented for the first time on a watch dial.
Hermès Arceau Marqueterie de Paille
Marquetry of straw is similar to that of wood marquetry, except for that straw is used instead of wood veneer. The straws, most commonly wheat or oat, are split and soaked in water before being ironed and colored, to mimic the texture of wood.
The watches combine blue and black rye straws arranged in such a way to mimic Hermès tie patterns – chevrons and squares. A special curiosity is that rye used for this watch is produced by only one farm in France.
Hermès Arceau Marqueterie de Paille
The watch itself is crafted in white gold and features 41 millimeters in diameter. It uses an automatic mechanical movement produced exclusively for Hermes by Manufacture Vaucher. Both models are mounted on a blue alligator strap.
Author: Marina Milojević
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