H08

The Hermès H08 makes its strongest argument through shapes: a softly squared case, a circular dial, and numerals that seem drawn specifically to connect the two. Introduced in 2021, it gives enthusiasts something genuinely different from the usual sports-watch vocabulary without sacrificing everyday readability.

The typography deserves a close look, particularly the zero and eight that give the watch its name. Beneath that graphic personality is the automatic H1837, a Vaucher-produced movement rather than an afterthought behind a fashion-house dial. For a first H08, the uncoated titanium version lets the contrasting surface finishes do the talking; black DLC-coated titanium gives the same design a more concentrated, monochromatic character. On the coated version, pay particular attention to exposed edges, where damage can reveal the lighter metal underneath. A rubber strap suits the design’s sporting side, while the titanium bracelet makes it feel more architectural.