Introducing – The 2017 Hermès Cape Cod TGM Collection For Men (including a nice Automatic Manufacture)

Born from the singular vision of Henri d’Origny, who invented it in 1991 by sketching a square inside a rectangle, the Hermès Cape Cod has become a signature watch for the brand. Yet, at that time, La Montre d’hermes was not what it is now. While today the brand can argue of in-house movements and a certain credibility in watchmaking (see the Slim d’Hermès), it used to be more fashionable pieces back then. Times change. Here is the 2017 Hermès Cape Cod TGM Collection For Men, including, besides some Quartz versions, a desirable automatic with Manufacture movement.

The Hermès Cape Cod is a design statement, something where the old luxury maison has some arguments. Hermès is more than a luxury brand, it is a style, a signature, and when you go there, you know that it’s going to be classy. Yet, the Parisian brand also has a certain approach of design, mixing elegance, understatement and a slight dosage of eccentricity. This is found in their watches too, including the Cape Cod. This watch sets apart mainly because of its case,  a square dial within a rectangle with round edges and highly specific lugs, including a third central horn (which is there only for the look…) Yet, it exists since 1991 and it is now really part of the watchmaking world.

For 2017, the Hermès Cape Cod sees some evolutions, especially for the TGM (Très Grand Modèle, or very large model), even if at 33mm x 33mm it is not what you can call an oversized watch. Yet, this is the largest possible size for this watch and it advertised mainly for men. 4 declinations are to be introduced, with 3 being quartz-powered offered, and 1 being what we love here, an automatic version, with not just a classical out-sourced movement.

• Hermès Cape Cod TGM Manufacture

Indeed, the 2017 Hermès Cape Cod TGM Collection includes a Manufacture version, powered by Calibre H1912, a movement that is specific to the brand (crafted by Vaucher, partially owned by Hermès) and that ticks at 4Hz and boasts 50 hours of power reserve. It is here visible from the caseback and decorated in the brand’s usual way, with H logos all over the bridges. The dial shows a combination of finely designed numerals (a hallmark of the brand, like it is the case for the Slim d’Hermès), a textured central area and a 3-hand display, with date at 6. It is now available in 4 versions; blue (with Matt indigo aligator), black (with Matt black alligator), anthracite (with Matt graphite alligator) or opaline silvered (with Natural Barenia calf leather). Priced at approximately 5,200 Swiss Francs.

Alongside this mechanical version, the 2017 Hermès Cape Cod TGM Collection includes 3 other declinations of the model. All are sharing the same 33mm x 33mm case, yet they are powered by Quartz movements. They also have a 3-hand display, yet with the date window positioned at 3.