The stunning island of Tinos, Greece, known for its timeless beauty and rich artistic heritage, recently played host to an extraordinary event by Hermès, celebrating the launch of its new Cut watch collection. This captivating moment marked the second chapter of a journey that began in Geneva during Watches and Wonders 2024, bringing the unique timepieces to a setting that echoed the essence of both the brand and the island.
Tinos, part of the Cycladic archipelago, has long been renowned for its rugged landscapes and natural treasures. The island’s volcanic origin has endowed it with a wide variety of rare minerals and stones. The northern part of Tinos is famous for its prized white and green marble, while the southern regions offer abundant slate and granite. For centuries, these materials have contributed to the art and architecture of Greece, shaping iconic buildings and sculptures that have endured through the ages. In fact, Tinos is so closely associated with artistic excellence that it has earned the moniker, “the island of art and beauty,” having birthed countless artists and architects whose influence has stretched beyond Greece.
It was within this landscape of natural wonder and historical significance that Hermès chose to celebrate the unveiling of its new watch collection. The performance, staged in the remote green marble quarry of Koumelas, was more than a simple product launch. It was an immersive experience that harmoniously intertwined the island’s deep-rooted history of craftsmanship with the refined artistry of Hermès. The quarry, a place where artisans have long extracted the island’s precious marble, served as a dramatic backdrop to the event, highlighting the intricate link between the natural world and human creativity.
The Cut watch collection itself is a testament to Hermès’ commitment to precision, elegance, and timeless design. The pieces feature harp-like angles and sharply defined lines, blending a sense of freedom with the structured geometry of the circle. This fusion of contrasting shapes results in a uniquely harmonious design that feels both modern and eternal, much like the island of Tinos itself. The free-spirited round form of the watches echoes the organic curves of the island’s volcanic landscape, while their clean lines mirror the precise craftsmanship found in Tinos’ centuries-old marble carvings.
In bringing the Cut collection to Tinos, Hermès has highlighted a shared heritage of craftsmanship. Just as the island’s marble quarries have produced masterpieces that stand the test of time, the new timepieces embody a timeless quality through their meticulous design. Both Hermès and Tinos share a reverence for artistry that transcends mere utility, offering objects that not only serve a function but also speak to the human desire for beauty and expression.
The event in Koumelas quarry thus became a symbolic bridge between past and present, nature and design, as the Shapes of Time were celebrated in a space where history and craftsmanship have long coexisted. Hermès’ new Cut collection, with its elegant blend of tradition and modernity, could not have found a more fitting stage than the storied island of Tinos, where art, beauty, and time converge in perfect harmony.
