The craft. Precision and skill. Hermès is honouring the ancient art of straw marquetry, an art form and a skill that has become rare. In doing so, Hermès are for the first time presenting it on a watch.

The rye straw used in these watches is hand reaped to ensure quality are from one particular farm in France. From there the straw is coloured and dried. The straw is then split open with a fine blade and flattened where it is cut up and made into the patterns you see below.

As part of the celebration, Hermès are producing new versions of the Arceau watch, originally created in 1978. The 41 mm-diameter white gold watch case will house and depict Hermès tie patterns featuring chevrons and tiny squares.

These fine self-winding watches are presented in a makassar ebony box also decorated in straw marquetry. When it comes to a craft and precision, these watches from Hermès are prime examples.