Hermès Edition Owners Thread

[drew0020]

Question to everyone buying the Hermes Watch every year, what is holding you back from using this money to buy one fancy watch (eg. Rolex, Omega etc.) which will hold its value + will hold up forever, not like an Apple Watch which you aren't going to use longer than ~5years max. ?

I’ve purchased 2 Rolex’s during the past 10 years and that’s all I want. I’m probably not going to buy the Apple watch going forward. I used to love it, but I basically use it to for workouts and to stream podcasts (I never carry my phone while working out). IMO the Ultra is too big, and the Series battery doesn’t last me more than 12-14 hours which isn’t enough.

In the past I used to use the Hermes watch with leather for more formal occasions, but now it’s obviously the Rolex.

 

[mikedis]

Can't decide between either of them, can only buy one View attachment 2289949
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None of them. But a band for your Rolex instead.

 

[Dstopsie]

Question to everyone buying the Hermes Watch every year, what is holding you back from using this money to buy one fancy watch (eg. Rolex, Omega etc.) which will hold its value + will hold up forever, not like an Apple Watch which you aren't going to use longer than ~5years max. ?

Already have 2 Rolex’s that sit on their winders that I never wear anymore unless to a wedding, etc. so I don’t need anymore Rolex’s….

 

[shaown]

I don't invest in watches - I wear them Since I don't have any jewelry per se - and my shoes since the pandemic have downgraded to all birds half the time (still nice ones once in a while) - an Hermes Apple Watch scratches my luxury itch and gives me the function I seek.

 

[Nikhil72]

Question to everyone buying the Hermes Watch every year, what is holding you back from using this money to buy one fancy watch (eg. Rolex, Omega etc.) which will hold its value + will hold up forever, not like an Apple Watch which you aren't going to use longer than ~5years max. ?

Because those watches don’t track my workouts, steps, or allow me to go phone free at the gym or on a walk.

 

[justiny]

Question to everyone buying the Hermes Watch every year, what is holding you back from using this money to buy one fancy watch (eg. Rolex, Omega etc.) which will hold its value + will hold up forever, not like an Apple Watch which you aren't going to use longer than ~5years max. ?

While I don’t buy a new Apple Watch every year, let alone an Hermès model, I’d like to chime in.

I currently own a Tag Heuer from 2005 and a steel Rolex Sub from 2006. Before the WATCH came around, I would wear these watches only occasionally (and still do) on special occasions, but these would mostly sit in the safe and I generally did not wear a watch. I would just use my iPhone for my horological needs.

I bought the WATCH Series 2 aluminum as a way to satisfy my tech-nerd curiosity and motivate my fat-ass into better shape. Since then, I have been all-in with a steel S4, S5 Hermès, and now the S9 Hermès.

While we all know Apple will eventually change the lug mechanism in the future and our current bands won’t be compatible, the Hermès bands I currently own have continued to live on much more than the watch itself. My Noir deployment is 3yo and my Fauve Barenia deployment is 5yo, so with my new S9, these bands with my 28 others (my wife hates my WATCH band ”hobby”) will continue on for several more years.

To be clear, nothing about the Apple Watch is ”timeless” and it will not me passed on to my kids. No one has ever asked about my Hermès Apple Watch, which I really couldn’t care less about, and I fully understand it will only depreciate over time. I have and never will consider it to be an investment.

However, it’s been a fun luxury/tech item which has helped me get back into shape, minimized technology distractions by curating my iPhone notifications, and the Hermès leather quality is second to none, IMO. Combine all of this with the feature of easily and quickly changing the straps to match my mood/outfit/activity/whatever, the WATCH Hermès has easily become my absolute favorite Apple product.

 

[the future]

Question to everyone buying the Hermes Watch every year, what is holding you back from using this money to buy one fancy watch (eg. Rolex, Omega etc.) which will hold its value + will hold up forever, not like an Apple Watch which you aren't going to use longer than ~5years max. ?

BECAUSE ONE OF THEM IS FUNCTIONALLY MINIMAL JEWELLERY AND THE OTHER ONE IS AN ADVANCED MICROCOMPUTER ON YOUR WRIST WITH A MYRIAD OF FUNCTIONS, SOME OF THEM EVEN POTENTIONALLY LIFE-SAVING.

(Sorry for screaming but it is really annoying that this useless apples-to-oranges „comparison“ still pops up regularly, even over 8 years after the first Apple Watch was released.

(Also, only very few mechanical watches actually hold or even appreciate in value; 99,9% don‘t. And all of them will only „hold up forever“ if they are regularly serviced - which isn‘t cheap, either.)

(Disclaimer: I do own a few mechanicals myself. If I calculate $/€ per hour worn, my Apple Watches come out as way cheaper.)

 

[francoc02o]

Question to everyone buying the Hermes Watch every year, what is holding you back from using this money to buy one fancy watch (eg. Rolex, Omega etc.) which will hold its value + will hold up forever, not like an Apple Watch which you aren't going to use longer than ~5years max. ?

1. I like the versatility, changing watch faces and bands, and you have a complexity different look for a different type of activities and situations.
2. I am a tech person, and like to have what it is trending. I know I could get the simple aluminum Apple Watch, buy a watch is a wearable and I think it is a huge plus if it looks nice, that's why I chose the Hermès one.
3. I like the functionality of the Apple Watch, to be able to see my notifications, perform calls, have LTE for when I go for a run, or my iPhone runs of out battery (this has saved a lot of times, its a huge added value), I am also very into fitness, so I use all the fitness functions as well.

With a Rolex, I it is super nice and luxurious but I think I would get bored of it with some time, because the lack of functionality and I can't afford collecting them, I prefer putting my resources in other place.

 

[Vangeli]

Not everything has to have a monetary return on investment—we can simply enjoy things. The Watch is merely a gadget whereas the Hermès bands will outlast it and should be easily adaptable to future timepieces if necessary.

 

[athousandbands]

Not everything has to have a monetary return on investment—we can simply enjoy things. The Watch is merely a gadget whereas the Hermès bands will outlast it and should be easily adaptable to future timepieces if necessary.

Thinking about the relatively short lifespan of a single Apple Watch has gotten extremely…well…old.

I guarantee you that Siberian Husky cherishes his two 18K S0s even though Apple Support no longer will service them.

 

[Adelphos33]

Question to everyone buying the Hermes Watch every year, what is holding you back from using this money to buy one fancy watch (eg. Rolex, Omega etc.) which will hold its value + will hold up forever, not like an Apple Watch which you aren't going to use longer than ~5years max. ?

I bought a Rolex in 2021 and a Tudor in 2022. I may want to get an Omega soon. The issue is that it is now so hard to. buy Rolexes at a store that I have been turned off. There are some models I may want to buy eventually, but no rush.

I have three AW, and am considering a Hermes - but every time I price on out, I don't think I need to spend the $2,000 outfitting an AW with a few bands. So I just stick with what I have.

 

[drew0020]

I bought a Rolex in 2021 and a Tudor in 2022. I may want to get an Omega soon. The issue is that it is now so hard to. buy Rolexes at a store that I have been turned off. There are some models I may want to buy eventually, but no rush.

I have three AW, and am considering a Hermes - but every time I price on out, I don't think I need to spend the $2,000 outfitting an AW with a few bands. So I just stick with what I have.

It’s so difficult to get a Rolex these days (it’s pretty annoying actually.) I keep saying I’m happy with two, but really want another. Just waiting on that call that never seems to come. Been 1.5 years now lol

 

[akfdqwer]

Question to everyone buying the Hermes Watch every year, what is holding you back from using this money to buy one fancy watch (eg. Rolex, Omega etc.) which will hold its value + will hold up forever, not like an Apple Watch which you aren't going to use longer than ~5years max. ?

My dad had a heart condition a while back, and I took off my Apple Watch and put it on his wrist to do an ECG. He was fine after seeing a doctor, and I consider the Apple Watch to be a life-saving tool.

 

[Boardiesboi]

The search for my favourite S9 Hermès is over for me! Got the SBSS S9 with Vert Cypres single tour from the Hermès store just now and it’s perfect.

I asked for SSS S9 with Fauve Clou de Selle and they didn’t have it in store so went with the SBSS.

@athousandbands - Yes it’s a mystical green and looks very stealthy and classy.

I also didn’t expect it to be a match made in heaven with the evergreen FineWoven case.

 

[athousandbands]

The search for my favourite S9 Hermès is over for me! Got the SBSS S9 with Vert Cypres single tour from the Hermès store just now and it’s perfect.

I asked for SSS S9 with Fauve Clou de Selle and they didn’t have it in store so went with the SBSS.

@athousandbands - Yes it’s a mystical green and looks very stealthy and classy.

I also didn’t expect it to a match with the evergreen FineWoven case.



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That’s deadly good. I both do and don’t need to see it next to Rousseau.

 

[drew0020]

The search for my favourite S9 Hermès is over for me! Got the SBSS S9 with Vert Cypres single tour from the Hermès store just now and it’s perfect.

I asked for SSS S9 with Fauve Clou de Selle and they didn’t have it in store so went with the SBSS.

@athousandbands - Yes it’s a mystical green and looks very stealthy and classy.

I also didn’t expect it to a match made in heaven with the evergreen FineWoven case.

View attachment 2290378
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Not a fan of that color, but congrats and wear in good health.

 

[Vangeli]

That’s deadly good. I both do and don’t need to see it next to Rousseau.

I very much want to see it next to Rousseau as well; a family member has a Green S7 and the Rousseau is too blue in comparison but Cypres looks to be the closest green yet.

The black hardware may also help.

 

[Boardiesboi]

I very much want to see it next to Rousseau as well; a family member has a Green S7 and the Rousseau is too blue in comparison but Cypres looks to be the closest green yet.

The black hardware may also help.

It’s very close to the FineWoven evergreen. Maybe a shade darker.

 

[Boardiesboi]

Not a fan of that color, but congrats and wear in good health.

Colour is definitely a personal preference! I don’t know how much I missed the SBSS (since the S5 Hermes Noir that I had) until now haha

 

[makingmark]

I appreciate y’alls help w/r/t the Swift Gold band, but after I inspected it on delivery this weekend I’ll be returning it. Personally it doesn’t meet my standard for leather quality. Debating whether to share the details of why, I don’t want to potentially devalue them to the eyes of the many thread contributors who have them. I would still be interested in the Barenia strap if Hermes ever offers it inn the 41mm size (or a NIB 40mm appeared and wasn’t hugely expensive…which I very much doubt).

So here's my take on the Swift bands, admittedly based only on the Gold I purchased and returned.

It's what I call "fashion" leather. It looks and feels like butter...but it has extremely poor IRL longevity. It's kind of a modern day version of patent leather. That's a leather that's perfectly shiny...and as soon as it cracks, it looks like crap, because the finish is heavy and sits on top of the leather. Swift is like a modern-aesthetic, smooth version of patent.

Below are a couple of close ups of the band I returned. Look at the lower keeper. You can see that the pigment on the upper edge is just caked on - those cracks aren't grain, they are cracks in too heavily applied pigment (harder to control with such tiny pieces as the keepers). This is why these bands look so perfect in all the unnatural colors: they have a thick top coating of pigment.

The problem with this is it looks and feels pristine, but wears very poorly. Apple used a very similar leather for its Leather Link straps; I had one for three months and it started turning black on the wrist underside, not as bad as but similar to the photo in this MacRumours forum link. Same for the iPhone 12-14 leather cases - they start turning black. Some people think this is patina, but it's not - it's the top coating wearing off. Once it's gone, the leather itself, which was finished to pick up and hold pigment, now sucks up any and all dirt and oil it comes into contact with...which is why it starts to turn black. (I hypothesize. I don't have proof. But we won't get any from the purveyors...)

I realized it's not a big deal to say this, because I think many people who get these bands have a lot of disposable income and/or collect multiple ones and so they rarely wear any one band. Nothing wrong with that. For me, if I'm going to buy something, I'm going to wear it. If it wears, I want that wear to look like character, not damage. Like raw/single-wash denim.

So in this sense: I'm on board with Apple here! Not only do I accept the synthetic bands may be more sustainable, they are also just better value. Yes, that's right: worth more, in fact, than the leather bands. Because they will stand up to use. Caveat: to me

 

[drew0020]

Colour is definitely a personal preference! I don’t know how much I missed the SBSS (since the S5 Hermes Noir that I had) until now haha

I don’t mind the color, but much prefer when the stitching is a different color from the band if that makes sense.

 

[Vangeli]

So here's my take on the Swift bands, admittedly based only on the Gold I purchased and returned.

It's what I call "fashion" leather. It looks and feels like butter...but it has extremely poor IRL longevity. It's kind of a modern day version of patent leather. That's a leather that's perfectly shiny...and as soon as it cracks, it looks like crap, because the finish is heavy and sits on top of the leather. Swift is like a modern-aesthetic, smooth version of patent.

Below are a couple of close ups of the band I returned. Look at the lower keeper. You can see that the pigment on the upper edge is just caked on - those cracks aren't grain, they are cracks in too heavily applied pigment (harder to control with such tiny pieces as the keepers). This is why these bands look so perfect in all the unnatural colors: they have a thick top coating of pigment.

The problem with this is it looks and feels pristine, but wears very poorly. Apple used a very similar leather for its Leather Link straps; I had one for three months and it started turning black on the wrist underside, not as bad as but similar to the photo in this MacRumours forum link. Same for the iPhone 12-14 leather cases - they start turning black. Some people think this is patina, but it's not - it's the top coating wearing off. Once it's gone, the leather itself, which was finished to pick up and hold pigment, now sucks up any and all dirt and oil it comes into contact with...which is why it starts to turn black. (I hypothesize. I don't have proof. But we won't get any from the purveyors...)

I realized it's not a big deal to say this, because I think many people who get these bands have a lot of disposable income and/or collect multiple ones and so they rarely wear any one band. Nothing wrong with that. For me, if I'm going to buy something, I'm going to wear it. If it wears, I want that wear to look like character, not damage. Like raw/single-wash denim.

So in this sense: I'm on board with Apple here! Not only do I accept the synthetic bands may be more sustainable, they are also just better value. Yes, that's right: worth more, in fact, than the leather bands. Because they will stand up to use. Caveat: to me

View attachment 2290355

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It’s definitely not as lacquered as patent leather. While it is painted like Apple’s leather offerings since the iPhone 12, it feels better, looks nicer, and lasts much longer. Apple’s paint was cheap and glossy in comparison whereas the texture of the swift leather comes through beautifully.

Further, Hermès offers repairs so when it does wear it can be repainted. I agree that Apple was correct to drop their leather but the handcrafted Hermès leather isn’t anywhere close to the landfill fodder Apple was mass producing.

 

[DougFNJ]

Question to everyone buying the Hermes Watch every year, what is holding you back from using this money to buy one fancy watch (eg. Rolex, Omega etc.) which will hold its value + will hold up forever, not like an Apple Watch which you aren't going to use longer than ~5years max. ?

That is a great question Matt!

On my annual Apple Watch purchases, I sell the old to partially fund the new, makes it a little easier to swallow.

I’m a watch guy AND an Apple tech nut, Apple Watch gives me the best of both worlds.

Rolex does hold its value, I have 2 that will never get sold though, and they are worn in regular rotation. Other brands like Tag, Tudor, Breitling, and Omega, unless you got a killer deal up front, value doesn’t hold nearly as well. I always say, buy the watch you love, talk to your financial advisor for your investments.

 

[justinteo]

Question to everyone buying the Hermes Watch every year, what is holding you back from using this money to buy one fancy watch (eg. Rolex, Omega etc.) which will hold its value + will hold up forever, not like an Apple Watch which you aren't going to use longer than ~5years max. ?

These watches can’t take my heart rate and do all the tech things that I have grown to be dependent on they’re just sitting in my wardrobe with zero wrist time, not even when I need to dress up and impress

 

[justinteo]

The search for my favourite S9 Hermès is over for me! Got the SBSS S9 with Vert Cypres single tour from the Hermès store just now and it’s perfect.

I asked for SSS S9 with Fauve Clou de Selle and they didn’t have it in store so went with the SBSS.

@athousandbands - Yes it’s a mystical green and looks very stealthy and classy.

I also didn’t expect it to a match made in heaven with the evergreen FineWoven case.

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So pretty!!! Now I feel like getting this band too!!!