HERMÈS

Two new colorways for the Hermès H08

Last week, Hermès quietly dropped two new titanium designs for the H08 line that stick closely to the already defined design language but add a light and subtle spin. Dimensions remain the same, with the 39mm-wide squared cushion case featuring a 42mm lug-to-lug and a thickness of 10.6mm. While many H08 colorways lean into contrast and color, the first new model goes for a low-contrast, all monochromatic metallic look in full titanium.

All aspects of the case and dial are executed in light grays, with the dial's grainy texture matching the outer case. The center circularly brushed dial ring is ever so slightly darker, featuring a nickel finish. The tiny splash of color is reserved for the tip of the arrow seconds hand, done in the iconic Hermès orange. Like all H08 dials, the heavily stylized applied numerals surround the dial, while a color-matched date window at 4:30 mirrors the same typeface.

In essence, this version of the H08 serves as a light-dialed complement to the original titanium H08, which is still in the collection and features a darker graphite dial. But with the new design, the matching titanium bracelet seems to work even better. If a bracelet isn't for you, this colorway is quite versatile for really any color of strap, and Hermès also makes the watch available with orange, blue, or black rubber straps or blue and black fabric straps.

The second titanium model introduced goes for a more eye-catching look, with a contrasting black ceramic bezel, black-gold treated center dial ring, and light blue Saint-Cyr lume filling in the numerals and hands. For this model, Hermès offers a dark grey rubber strap or the colorful matching Saint-Cyr rubber.

Like all time-and-date H08s, the watches are powered by the H1837 automatic caliber. Manufactured for Hermès by Vaucher, the movement producer that Hermès has a 25% stake in, the caliber has very standard specs, beating away at 28,800 VpH and with a power reserve of 50 hours. Now a very recognizable move by the brand, the decoration of the rotor and mainplate features a repeating "H" motif and sunray finishing.

The new Hermès H08 is available now, with the monochromatic titanium model priced at $7,200 on the titanium bracelet, and the Saint-Cyr accented model priced at $7,600 on a rubber strap.

It's been a minute since the Hermès H08 line got some love. That isn't to say the brand hasn't been busy, with a lot of focus on the newer Cut design and its other lines. However, the last major additions to the H08 series were back in May of 2023. In the watch industry product cycle, that's basically an eternity.

For a brand that is all about seasonal colors and constant new iterations of the other objects it makes, it's quite surprising that it's taken this long for new iterations to be added to the H08 line. As far as new colorways go, these two new designs certainly aren't as bold as the colorful glass-fiber cased designs from the last major release. But I have to say, they feel very aesthetically pleasing to my eye and, though I'm not typically a fan of light blue, this "Saint-Cyr" coloring really works here. 

If the past few iterations of the H08 were a bit more aggressive in execution, these seem to be a bit more mellow and subdued, and feel like they always should have been there in the collection.

Thebestwatch