Slim d'Hermès pocket Masan Masan

Designed in 2015 by Philippe Delhotal, the Slim d'Hermès expresses the essence of the house: a singularity that is all about rigorous discipline and fine balance. At once contemporary and classic, its understated lines highlight handcrafted creations combining style and expertise. Crafted in white gold, the 45 mm round case with its angular lugs reveals a high-stepping pair of horses made of woven horsehair and engraved rose gold.

The cover and dial of this one-of-a-kind pocket watch reinterpret the Masan Masan scarf motif by Thai designer Terawat Teankaprasith. The ancestral art of horsehair weaving - masan meaning "braided horse" in Thai - consists in collecting the prolific water hyacinth, drying it in the sun, then hand-braiding it to create objects such as baskets, hats, sandals or animal figurines.

Inspired by this oriental basket-making technique, the Slim d'Hermès Masan Masan combines horsehair marquetry and engraving in a subtle interpretation of the equestrian world cherished by Hermès. To design the weave of the cover and dial, the artisan painstakingly selects different shades of horsehair, cuts them and then assembles them one by one, patiently composing the motif. Combining brilliance and contrast, the engraver brings the second horse profile to life, forming reliefs and depths in gold worked using traditional burins and chisels.

Vividly expressing Hermès' expertise in watchmaking and leather goods, a Manufacture H1950 ultra-thin mechanical self-winding movement powers this pocket watch paired with a havana alligator leather cord.