For the past 25 years, the Hermès’ Cape Cod has coiled around the wrists of style icons, had a luxe Margiela update and now, on the occasion of its birthday, is launched in a series of new incarnations.
Created by the house’s silk expert Henri d’Origny in 1991, the case and numerals of the Cape Cod were inspired by Hermès’ classic Chaîne d’Ancre (anchor chain) pattern – from where it got its nautical name. Its graphic form was born of Origny’s retro-style idea of placing a square dial inside a rectangular steel case, while its design credentials were defined by his decision to heighten the laid-back chic factor with a ribbon-like leather strap.
In 1998, Martin Margiela made his standout contribution to watch design, gracing the Cape Cod with a chic Double Tour strap and putting the timepiece on Hermès’ Paris runway. The Cape Cod became not just a design object in its own right but an emblematic horological house motif. Last year, it became the focus of the French maison’s surprise collaboration with Apple Watch.
In celebration of its anniversary year, it appears in a new suite of guises: diamonds have been added to its rectangular outer case, the dial has been updated in mother-of-pearl, while a new men’s model features a cuff-style wristband.
One of the first design watches to launch with the option of interchangeable straps, the new spectrum, from iris to ultraviolet and Veronese green, allows for as subtle or as glamorous a take as is preferred. ‘It’s still unconventional and free from any kind of formalism, while staying true to classic style,’ reflects Philippe Delhotal, La Montre Hermès’ artistic director. We couldn’t agree more.
Left: Cape Cod TGM with Veronese green alligator strap. Right: Cape Cod GM ’dropped setting’ with electric blue Double Tour strap
Left: Cape Cod PM with geranium alligator Double Tour strap. Right: Cape Cod PM with lime strap
The new men’s Cape Cod watch features a cuff-style wristband.
INFORMATION
For more information, visit the Hermès website
-
Are these the most luxurious Land Rovers ever? Welcome to the refined world of HelderburgEast Coast Land Rover specialists Helderburg are committed to the very best, transforming the classic British utility vehicle into bespoke individual creations
-
A timeline of David Lynch’s dreamlike perfume commercials, from Calvin Klein to GucciDavid Lynch’s perfume commercials, created over a two-decade period, saw the visionary director focus his dreamlike lens on fragrance campaigns for Calvin Klein, Giorgio Armani, Jil Sander, Gucci and more
-
Contrast therapy meets neuroaesthetic design at this Singapore spa and bathhouseReap the benefits of contrast therapy, head-to-toe massage and neuroaesthetic spatial design at the Hideaway spa and bathhouse in Singapore
-
Unboxing beauty products from 2024, as seen on the pages of Wallpaper*Wallpaper's 2024 beauty picks included Chanel lipstick, Bottega Veneta perfume and solid soap from the likes of Aesop, Celine, Diptyque, Hermès and Sisley
-
These illuminating fashion interviews tell the story of style in 2024Selected by fashion features editor Jack Moss from the pages of Wallpaper*, these interviews tell the stories behind the designers who have shaped 2024 – from Kim Jones to Tory Burch, Willy Chavarria to Martine Rose
-
Hermès Beauty’s eye and lip pencils invite playfulness with colour and textureHermès Beauty’s creative director Gregoris Pyrpylis has added to the ‘Trait d’Hermès’ collection with a set of eye and lip liners in kaleidoscopic colours. Here, he speaks to Wallpaper* about their playful design
-
The story behind Hermès’ ‘Barénia’, a perfume that took nearly ten years to makeHermès’ ‘Barénia’ is the house’s first-ever chypre fragrance. Christine Nagel tells Wallpaper* why it was almost ten years in the making
-
Sourcewhere is the app helping you find the rarest fashion grailsSourcewhere uses a network of experts and personal shoppers to source rare vintage and limited-edition fashion, from Phoebe Philo’s Céline to Margiela-era Hermès. Here, founder Erica Wright tells Wallpaper* why it’s reflecting a wider change in the way people shop luxury fashion
-
Why solid soap is the most pleasurable object to bathe withSolid soap provides a tactile bathing experience like no other. Hannah Tindle explores why in the September 2024 Style Issue of Wallpaper*, with soaps by Chanel, Celine, Diptyque, and more, photographed by Sophie Gladstone
-
The best sunscreens for your face, selected by the Wallpaper* beauty editorsThis list of the best sunscreens for your face has been compiled by Wallpaper* editors Mary Cleary and Hannah Tindle, who are highly selective about SPF
-
’What is the life of a woman?’: Nadège Vanhée on a decade of womenswear at HermèsFor the past ten years, Nadège Vanhée, head of womenswear at Hermès, has steered the French maison on a quietly rebellious path, exploring notions of contemplation, liberation and sensuality. Speaking to fashion features editor Jack Moss, she unpacks her evolution
