The Apple Watch is given an injection of French luxury

By Rebecca Doulton

Hip or hype, the phenomenon of smartwatches has caused more ink to be spilled than the deluge of cheap quartz watches back in the late 1970s. Whichever way the pendulum swings on this one, and I personally doubt it will ever dent the traditional mechanical watch market, Apple Watches just got a whole lot smarter thanks to an injection of French luxury from Hermès.

Read more about mechanical watches with digital technology

Hermès and Apple, iconic brands for very different reasons in their respective countries, have joined forces to create the Apple Watch Hermès. Hermès is something of an anachronism in the galaxy of luxury goods and, to this day, one of the oldest family-owned and run companies in France. Possibly the last bastion of superlative craftsmanship, Hermès has never questioned its slow, artisanal approach to production. The alliance with Apple is not, however, as far-fetched as one would think and sits quite nicely with Thierry Hermès’ philosophy of making “useful objects beautiful” – a mantra upon which the brand renowned for its handmade saddles and harnesses was founded in 1837.

These unusual bedfellows marry together cool avant-garde Apple design and digital technology with the unique appeal of luxury hand-stitched goods. The watch straps will be available in single and double tour versions, as well as a wider cuff strap, and will no doubt appeal to those who want to reconcile the colder face of digital technology with the warmth of Hermès straps.

Read more about 2015 watch trends

The Apple Watch Hermès not only comes with a choice of leather straps, it incorporates the Hermès logo on the dial, and a few subtle design details to evoke the elegant dials of Hermès’ already consolidated line of watches. 

Earlier this year we saw how other luxury watch brands tested the smartwatch waters without getting totally wet. Frédérique Constant, Alpina and Montblanc all hopped on board the smart wagon, offering traditional-looking watches – some with mechanical movements such as the Montblanc watch – with discreetly camouflaged smartwatch functionality.

See more smartwatches from other luxury watch brands

Apple Watch Hermès starts at $1,100 (US) for the 38mm stainless steel case with the single tour; $1,150 (US) for the 42mm stainless steel case also with the single tour; $1,250 (US) for the 38mm stainless steel case with the double tour; and $1,500 (US) for the 42mm stainless steel case with the cuff. The collection will be available at select Apple retail stores, select Hermès stores, and department stores beginning 5 October.

  • Apple watch Hermès lifestyle, photo David Sims

    Apple and Hermès have introduced Apple Watch Hermès, a new collection of smartwatches for women in stainless steel with finely crafted leather bands in distinctive styles, including the single tour, double tour and cuff.

    Photo credit: David Sims.

  • Apple watch Hermès double tour watches

    The 38mm stainless steel Apple Watch Hermès is available with a double tour leather strap in a variety of colours.

  • Montblanc Timewalker e-Strap

    Montblanc Timewalker Urban Speed Chronograph e-Strap is a smart hybrid for people who don’t want to give up wearing a real watch, but who want to stay connected with 21st century technology.

  • Frédérique Constant Horological smartwatch with black leather strap

    The Horological 42mm smartwatch from Frédérique Constant has bi-directional smartphone connectivity, and while the watch itself still displays all its natural classic beauty, behind the scenes it can automatically track your sleep patterns, as well as your walking and running activities. 

  • Apple Hermes watch Barenia single strap crop

    Hermes and apple’s collaboration merges fashion and technology, to bring smart watches bang up-to-date for modern, fashion-forward women.

SOURCE:http://www.thejewelleryeditor.com/watches/article/apple-watch-jluxury-hermes-leather-straps/