Hermès’ foray into the watch industry has always been notable. For one, the French luxury firm has been at it for nearly 100 years and thus is more revered than its designer brand contemporaries. And while these days, it’s more associated with dress pieces than it is sporty chronographs, the chronograph was part of the company’s watchmaking history at the very beginning. Now, Hermès has returned to form by adding a chronograph model to the popular H08 line for the very first time.
Debuting in 2021, the H08 has been the brand’s de facto casual line with its rubber strap, square case, and overall sporty design language. A chronograph was a natural progression for the series and has now arrived in an unveiling at this year’s Watches & Wonders trade show in Geneva. Along with a few new colorways for the three-hand automatic version, the chrono launch comes with the introduction of a new case material as well: a glass fiber composite that mixes carbon fiber and graphene powder.
As opposed to the 39mm automatics, the H08 Chronograph increases the case size to 41mm across. Adorned with an orange rubber strap, the timepiece features a black dial with matching orange markers, but the real stars here are the two subdials arranged in a bicompax configuration and given a distinct texture that echos the pavement of a racetrack. The grain is given to the inner flange as well. Unlike the ceramic bezel on its three-handed counterparts, the chrono uses titanium instead. Hermès also circumvents a traditional chronograph aesthetic with a monopusher that’s been embedded into the crown itself.
No price has been given for the Hermès H08 Chronograph just yet and it’s not expected to arrive until 2024. Learn more at the Watches & Wonders website.
