Since its introduction in 2015, the Slim d'Hermès has represented Hermès Horloger's mastery of restraint, marrying the maison's leather heritage with its increasingly sophisticated horological ambitions. The new Slim d'Hermès Squelette Lune advances this philosophy by revealing the mechanisms that define its elegance, presenting collectors with a double-moon phase complication framed by architectural transparency.
Things to Know About the Watch
Both watches feature cases measuring 39.5mm in diameter, accommodating most wrist sizes without compromise, while the 30-meter water resistance acknowledges the dress watch category. The new Slim d'Hermès Squelette Lune is available in platinum or titanium, like the Slim d’Hermès Perpetual Calendar.
What distinguishes this piece from conventional moon phase watches is its dual-hemisphere display at six o'clock, a complication that acknowledges the global perspective of contemporary collectors. Rather than presenting the lunar cycle from a single viewpoint, the watch simultaneously tracks phases visible from both Northern and Southern hemispheres—as on the Hermès Arceau L’Heure De La Lune Moonphase—a technical consideration that speaks to Hermès's commitment to functional artistry over mere decoration.
The titanium edition employs bead-blasted grade 5 titanium construction with a polished, DLC-treated anthracite bezel. Its openworked dial features a sunburst anthracite finish, the skeletal architecture revealing movement components through carefully calculated negative space. Black gold-treated baton hands traverse a transfer-printed white minutes track, while the watch arrives on a matte Gris Étains alligator strap that demonstrates Hermès's leather atelier expertise.
The platinum variant presents a more cerebral proposition. Its sunburst blue openworked dial coordinates with blue-toned bridge treatments visible through the sapphire case-back, creating chromatic continuity between dial-side exhibition and movement architecture. The Bleu Abysse matte alligator strap completes the tonal statement, offering collectors who favor precious metals an alternative to the titanium's industrial aesthetic.
The Movement
The watches are powered by the Manufacture Hermès H1953 movement, an ultra-thin skeletonized calibre measuring just 3.57mm thick. This micro-rotor construction achieves the delicate balance between skeletal exhibition and functional integrity, its 178 components and 29 jewels arranged to maximize visual depth while maintaining a 48-hour power reserve. The bridges receive diamond-cut and bead-blasted finishes, their surfaces treated to echo the dial colorations—Vert d'Eau tones for the anthracite variant, blue treatments for the platinum edition. The movement beats at 21,600 vph, a traditional frequency that prioritizes longevity and serviceability over chronometric extremes.
Summary & Price
The Slim d'Hermès Squelette Lune succeeds by refusing to overstate its complications. Where many manufactures might overwhelm skeletal dials with excessive finishing or architectural gymnastics, Hermès maintains the restrained discipline that has defined the Slim collection since its inception. The result is a moon phase watch that reveals without boasting, displaying horological capability through measured transparency rather than technical exhibitionism—a philosophy entirely consistent with the maison's broader creative vision.
Sticker Price USD 25,500 for titanium and USD 42,450 for platinum. For more info on Hermès, click here.
