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Hermès spices up the H08 collection with new colours, composite cases and a monopusher chronograph Hermès spices up the H08 collection with new colours, composite cases and a monopusher chronograph

Hermès spices up the H08 collection with new colours, composite cases and a monopusher chronograph

Fergus Nash
  • The new Hermès H08 watches experiment with composite case materials
  • Include exciting design features in a surprisingly smooth package
  • We also get a preview of the Monopusher Chronograph model to be released in 2024

Creating a contemporary sports watch design that’s totally unique isn’t easy, especially when you want to keep it aesthetically accessible to a wide range of tastes. That said, if anyone knows how to craft an appealing look, it’s Hermès. They first debuted the H08 in 2021, and have continued to experiment within its design language by substituting bold colours and materials. Two years later for Watches & Wonders 2023, the Hermès H08 collection has been expanded again with five new high-tech and stimulating references.

Proof of Hermès’ impressive craft is just how smoothly the H08 comes together, despite an amalgamation of elements that would on paper be jarring. Black, composite case materials, high-contrast colours, and harshly-grained dials are all found on plenty of intense sports watches, but the Hermès H08 feels almost familiar in its comfort and ease. The first four references in the new batch are three-handers in a variety of colours, contrasting subtly on the dial and loudly on the rubber straps. The sector dial has a pleasing roundness within the squared-off case, with punches of orange, yellow, blue or green accompanying the hour markers and counterbalanced second hand. The Arabic numerals are easy to read, with a charming typeface that’s somewhere between Art Deco and sci-fi.

The Hermès H08 case is elegant despite its buff silhouette, and the 39mm time-only models benefit from a short lug length for wrist comfort. The case is manufactured from an aluminised fibreglass composite material, finished with slate powder to bring out the contrasting patterns of what would be called Birdseye were it made from timber. The bezel is made from a brushed ceramic, and this results in quite a hardy case that’s also lightweight. The Hermès H08 Monopusher Chronograph on the other hand is made from a slightly more ‘traditional’ carbon fibre, giving it a hypnotising zebra stripe pattern below the contrasting titanium bezel. At 41mm, the added width allows easier reading of the softened-square subdials and the pop of orange on the hands.

The new Hermès H08 pricing and availability:

The new three-handed references of the Hermès H08 will soon be available from Hermès retailers, while the Monopusher Chronograph will only be available from 2024. Price: US$6,800 (three-hand model)

Brand Hermès
Model H08
Case Dimensions 39mm (three-hand) / 41mm (chronograph)
Case Material Aluminised fibreglass composite (three-hand) / Carbon fibre (chronograph)
Water Resistance 100m
Crystal(s) Sapphire
Dial Black with green, blue, orange, or yellow contrast
Strap Woven-pattern rubber
Movement H1837 (three-hand) / Chronograph TBA
Power Reserve 50 hours / Chronograph TBA
Availability Available from Hermès retailers soon, with the chronograph model released in 2024
Price US$6,800 (three-hand) / Chronograph TBA