Hermes H08 Watch Rose Gold review

April 02, 2023

This year, we saw a lot of watches that were previously released models with new materials in finishes. Some were gorgeous, others were underwhelming, but none were as transformed by a material change as the Herms HO8. The HO8 is not what I would call a beautiful watch. Interesting, well-crafted, sporty in a way that neither caters to steel-sport-watch-mania nor leans heavily into good old boy nostalgia. It is one of the more individual-looking watches out there. And while I've always respected the watch and loved it on other people, I wasn't really drawn to it until this year's rose gold and black titanium release. It should be noted, that Herms did release an HO8 Chronograph at W&W, and an interesting hint at how we'll see the line evolve, but I want to focus on the rose gold because it totally changed the spirit of the watch for me. It now has a broader appeal, becoming somewhat counterintuitively, more of an everyday option. The all-terrain ruggedness combined with the colorful strap options telegraphed a sharp curve away from the brand's more classic designs, but the rose gold softens that zig. Nearly all of the specs have remained the same, 39mm cushion-shaped case, Hermes manufacture Caliber H1837, same Arabic numerals specifically designed for the watch ( pay attention to the deliciously funky numeral four), date window at 4:30. Designed by Philippe Delhotal, Creative Director of Herms Horloger, the rose gold casemiddle doesn't contrast so much as it complements the black ceramic bezel and crown and black DLC-treated titanium caseback (more like body-frame). The black nickle-treated satin-brushed minutes disc provides a moment of shine in the middle of the matte dial, and the Super-LumiNova on the already pretty large Arabic numerals provides legibility. ?Through the open caseback you'll find one of my favorite parts of the watch, the engraving on the oscillating weight. The classic ?'Herms' H is repeated creating a mesmerizing pattern. I know that I have an extreme bias for rose (and pink and red) gold, but usually on dress watches. It's harder to find a sport watch that doesn't feel at odds with the material, but I guess the unclassifiable nature of the H08 is what saves it here. It's like a '90s teen rom-com where an oddball, who is really just a conventionally attractive person wearing glasses, gets a makeover just in time for prom. This watch has always been good-looking, it's just that now it shines a little bit brighter. Shop this story For more information visit Herms.?The Hodinkee shop is an authorized retailer of Herms watches, explore the collection here.