Hermès has revealed the H08 Squelette, its first skeleton watch. It is a significant moment for the brand, and one that has been three years in the making.
The watch is built around an entirely new movement. The Manufacture Hermès H1978S was developed in collaboration with Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier, specifically for this model.
The movement is a mechanical self-winding calibre with 168 components and a 60-hour power reserve. Hermès says it has been tested to the equivalent of ten years of continuous wear. That is a reassuring claim for a watch that, at its core, is essentially a very beautiful piece of open metalwork.
And it is extremely beautiful. Each bridge and screw has been designed as a structural element, with taut lines and carefully considered voids that interact with light differently depending on the angle. The semi-square tungsten oscillating weight echoes the cushion shape of the H08 case. I think that’s a nice touch that shows real attention to detail.
The case itself is 42mm, crafted from titanium coated in black DLC, with a satin-brushed ceramic bezel and mirror-polished chamfers.
It is water-resistant to 100 metres and features a screw-down crown. Despite the skeletal dial, this is still very much a tool watch.
There are two versions. The Blue edition pairs the dark case with vivid Bleu Zanzibar Arabic numerals coated in blue Super-LumiNova, making it the bolder choice.
The Grey version takes a slightly more restrained approach, with tonal grey numerals that let the movement’s architecture do the talking.
Straps vary by version. The Blue comes with Bleu Zanzibar or black rubber. The Grey offers three options: Dune, Vert Moyen, or Bleu Abysse. All are single-tour rubber on a titanium folding clasp with black DLC.
The H08 Squelette will be available from today, pricing has not been disclosed. You can check out more Watches and Wonders 2026 launches here.
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