Hermès Hermetic
Hermès Hermetic
Hermès Hermetic
Hermès Hermetic
Hermès Hermetic
Hermès Hermetic
Hermès Hermetic
Hermès Hermetic
Hermès Hermetic
Hermès Hermetic
Hermès Hermetic
Hermès Hermetic
Hermès Hermetic
Hermès Hermetic
Hermès Hermetic
Hermès Hermetic
Hermès Hermetic
Hermès Hermetic
Hermès Hermetic
Hermès Hermetic
Hermès Hermetic
Hermès Hermetic
Hermès Hermetic
Hermès Hermetic
Hermès Hermetic
Hermès Hermetic
Hermès Hermetic
Hermès Hermetic
Hermès Hermetic
Hermès Hermetic
Hermès Hermetic
Hermès Hermetic
Hermès Hermetic
Hermès Hermetic

Hermès Hermetic

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In the archives of horology, some documents capture moments when time was forced to challenge its own boundaries. Swiss patent No. 201339, issued to John Simon of Tramelan on 30 November 1938, describes a unique watch case designed to keep water out through compression screws and lateral flanges; a clever solution to the rectangular case's inability to seal.

Rectangular waterproofing had always been an issue. Cartier proved it possible in 1931 with the legendary Tank Étanché, commissioned by the Pasha of Marrakech, but production was tiny due to its complexity. Tramelan's patent reimagined this design with a cleaner solution. Here, perfectly preserved after almost 90 years, is the earliest example; manufactured just months after the patent was granted.

The word "Hermetic" means airtight, derived from the Greek for a perfectly sealed vessel. We believe that it could also be a derivative of the word ‘Hermès’ and this unique piece which pioneered waterproofing. This is the origin; a witness to horology's long battle against water, from Rolex's 1926 Oyster through Cartier's 1931 Étanché to John Simon's refined solution.

Hold it and you feel history in your palm. It does not belong to a museum. It belongs to the story of time itself.

- HighendTime Private Collection -

 

We offer complimentary worldwide delivery on our watches. If ordering from overseas, delivery will depend on the value of the timepiece and the destination. 

Please note that all import taxes and duties are the responsibility of the buyer.

If ordering from Hong Kong before 1 PM HKT, your watch will be sent the same working day. The courier will depend on the value of the watch, with all watches delivered the next working day.

All orders below USD 100 000 are shipped using our insured courier partners. For orders above USD 100 000, we use specialised services used by the jewellery industry for shipping high-value products.

Your satisfaction and trust is of the highest importance to us and we stand by the quality of all of our watches.

We offer a one-year warranty on the mechanical function of all watches bought from us, starting from the day of purchase.

We do not guarantee the waterproofness of any watch and therefore, this warranty also does not cover any cosmetic damage to the case and/or movement by water or moisture entering the watch.

Our warranty does not apply to any accidental damage or mishandling of your watch and excludes the bracelet, case parts (including pushers, winding stem, crown and bezel), watch glass, dial and hands.

CONDITION: Excellent vintage, original, unpolished
YEAR: Circa 1939 (manufactured shortly after patent on 30 Nov 1938 and issuance on 1 Feb 1939)
MATERIAL: Staybrite Steel
CASE: Rectangular waterproof design, compression screws, lateral flanges
MOVEMENT: Manual-wind
FUNCTIONS: Hours, minutes
DIAL: Original Gilt Sector
CRYSTAL: Acrylic
STRAP: Vintage Leather
BUCKLE: Non OEM
NOTES: Earliest known example of Swiss Patent No. 201339 by John Simon, Tramelan