First it was bicycles and then came airplanes, … and now, the Apple watch!

Yesterday, Hermès and Apple had jointly announced that they had collaborated on a new collection of Apple Watches: Apple Watch Hermès! While the watch’s face is essentially Apple, the leather bands are made from Hermès leather, and will be avaialble in 3 variations: the Single Tour, Double Tour, and Cuff.  All watches in this collection has an etching of the Hermès signature on the stainless steel casing, and a customisable face with three designs, inspired by the Clipper, Cape Code and Espace Hermès watches.

Whether this collaboration is an attempt at Apple positioning and aligning itself with the luxury lifestyle, this would have to be the epitome of a harmonious marriage between the old and the new, heritage and modernity, and artisanal techniques and technological innovation.

Apple’s chief design officer, Jonathan Ive says,

Apple and Hermès make very different products, but they reflect the deep appreciation of quality design. Both companies are motivated by a sincere pursuit of excellence and the desire to create something that is not compromised. Apple Watch Hermès is a true testament to that belief.

The Cuff is only available in 42mm and fauve Barenia leather

Double Tour in fauve Barenia leather and bleu jean, cappuccino and étain Swift leather

Single Tour in the 38mm stainless steel casing in fauve Barenia leather, noir Box leather, and cappucine Swift leather while the 42mm version is available in the first two  aforementioned options

Pierre-Alexis Dumas, Executive Vice President of Hermès comments,

At Hermès, we strive to provide our clients with elegant, creative and functional objects for their everyday lives,” said Pierre-Alexis Dumas, Hermès’ executive vice president in charge of artistic direction. “What more contemporary and relevant expression of this principle could there be than this collaboration with Apple. We are strongly united by the same deeply held ideas and principles. I see it as the establishment of an alliance in excellence; like horse and carriage, a perfect team.

The Apple Watch Hermès will be available from October 5 at select Apple stores and Hermès boutiques, and specialty department stores worldwide. Head on over to the dedicated website to find out more

Images courtesy of Hermès