Luxury Watch:Hermès

Geography: Although Hermès might possibly be the quintessential French brand,its timekeeping arm, LA Montre Hermès,is now firmly established in the Swiss town of Brugg.

Hermès watch: Clipper Chrono

History: Hermès is famous the world over for its luxurious leathers and superb craftsmanship since it was first established in 1837 as a maker of fine saddles and harnesses. Its foray into the world of tinekeeping started when it began making elegant watchstraps for good companies in the 1920s when wristwatches began to take the world by storm. Herems launched its first watch,the Kelly watch,in1975 in honour of its famouus handbag. It was in 1978 that Jean-Louis Dumas Hermès reorganised the company and established La Montre Hermès SA in Switzerland.


Philosophy: Its first timepiecemight have been created as a follow-up to its luxurios leather products, but it's clear now that La Montre Hermès means business when it comes to tomekeeping and aims to produce pieces that rank among the best in the field of high watchmaking. Ever since the brand acquired a 25 per cent stake in the prestigious Vaucher Manufacture movements, this point is further legitmised and reinforced.

Hermès watch:Cape Cod

Maths & Science: Over the decades, several important watch collections have been released, including the Clipper Cape Cod and the H-Our signature watch line. There have also been jewellery pieces of exception, including the spectacular Heure H Jaipur - a unique piece crafted from white gold, mother-of-pearl and set with cabochons.

Hermès watch:Cape Cod

Report Card: Hermès' 2008 collection has been spectacular, featureing several sought-after and talked-about models, particularly the exceptional mechanical piece, the Clipper Chrono in rose gold and numbered and limited to just 24 pieces, and the Pendulette, a clever timekeeping case crafted from nine thicknesses of leather.