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| Apple Watch with the Hermès Double Tour strap |
Apple on Wednesday unveiled a new version of the Apple Watch with leathers straps designed and crafted by Hermès.
It’s a small but important touch as Apple has been selling its smartwatch as a luxury item, competing against Swiss timepieces. I think the only people the Silicon Valley giant convinced of this were some of the leaders of Swiss watch companies. What Hermès provides is a touch of elegance for this consumer electronics product.
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| Apple Watch with Hermès Single Tour strap |
The Apple Watch Hermès collection consists of the Single Tour, Double Tour and Cuff leather straps designed by the Parisian luxury brand. There are several color and style options.
The Single Tour with the 38 mm stainless steel case comes in fauve Barenia leather, noir box leather and capucine Swift leather, while the Single Tour with 42 mm stainless steel case comes in fauve Barenia leather and noir box leather. The Double Tour pairs with the 38 mm stainless steel case and is available in fauve Barenia leather and bleu jean, capucine and etain Swift leather. The Cuff pairs with the 42 mm stainless steel case and is available in fauve Barenia leather only.
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| Apple Watch with Hermès Cuff strap |
“Apple and Hermès make very different products, but they reflect the deep appreciation of quality design,” Jonathan Ive, Apple’s chief design officer, said in a statement. “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.”
Across the collection, each stainless steel case features an etching of the Hermès signature and includes a customizable face with three exclusive dial designs inspired by Clipper, Cape Cod and Espace Hermès watches.
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| Hermès strap with four color options for the Apple Watch |
“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.”
Apple Watch Hermès starts at $1,100 for the 38 mm stainless steel case with the Single Tour, $1,150 for the 42 mm stainless steel case with the Single Tour, $1,250 for the 38 mm stainless steel case with the Double Tour and $1,500 for the 42 mm stainless steel case with the Cuff. The collection will be available at select Apple retail stores, select Hermès stores, specialty stores and department stores beginning October 5.
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