New Slim d'Hermès pieces draw inspiration from "Le Sacre des Saisons" silk scarves designed by the artist Pierre Marie.

Slim d’Hermès Le Sacre des Saisons is a series of four models by Hermès, where patterns from silk scarves are curiously intertwined with the history of ballet costumes and a number of fundamental artisan techniques for decorating dials.

As per tradition for this artistic quartet, the main source of inspiration is the same as the scarves, which feature symbols of the four seasons. Transitioning to the watch world, each of the four animals personifying the seasons in patterns on the scarves has been given its own dial. They've also been given color and an original texture.

The designer of the scarves, Pierre Mari, drew his inspiration from phantasmagoric costumes designed by Henri de Gissey for the ballet "Les Fêtes de Bacchus" in the 17th century, as well as costumes by Leon Bakst for Ballets Russes in the early 1920s. 

The symbol of winter on the white-gold watch is an ice wolf, which looks like it has been pieced together from mosaic-like shards. The fine enamel dial features fragments created using the paillonné enamel technique, where gold foil is integrated into the base plate between coats of clear enamel. The Spring model in rose gold is decorated with the silhouette of a horse composed of flowers.

The background for this miniature work of art is semi-precious apple-green chrysoprase. The vital life energy of summer in the Slim d’Hermès Le Sacre des Saisons series is personified by a lion with the sun's rays emanating out from its mane. Chrysoprase has also been used here, only this time it's lemon yellow.

The Autumn model stands out for its gold engraved eagle. The exquisite micro-relief engraving is accompanied by hand-applied flowers in expressive autumnal hues. This is the only model where the designers at Hermès decided not to set the bezel with diamonds. They must have deemed the piece bright enough without gems.

The Spring and Summer models are decorated with 66 brilliant-cut stones, while the winter novelty is encrusted with 52 baguette-cut diamonds. All models come with Hermès straps made of alligator skin.

The limit for each version is set at 12 pieces. Cases for the Slim d’Hermès measure 39.5 mm in diameter, and house a H1950 (Vaucher) movement with a micro-rotor and a 42-hour power reserve.