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When Paris Traveled By Carriage.
Before headlights illuminated the road ahead, there were carriage lanterns.
Mounted to either side of a horse-drawn carriage, these lanterns guided evening journeys long after the sun had disappeared below the horizon. They became familiar fixtures on Europe's streets, casting just enough light to find your way home while adding a certain elegance to travel that modern transportation has long since forgotten.
Hermès knew those lanterns well.
Long before the house became celebrated for handbags and silk scarves, Hermès built its reputation crafting harnesses, bridles and equestrian equipment for the finest horse-drawn carriages in Paris. This clock feels like a tribute to that chapter of the brand's history, borrowing the unmistakable silhouette of a carriage lantern and transforming it into one of the most distinctive desk clocks we've handled.
Standing 10.5 inches tall, it's built with remarkable attention to detail. The lantern body is crafted from solid brass and framed by original beveled glass panels that give the case wonderful depth. Above sits the stepped finial, faithfully echoing the decorative crown found atop traditional carriage lanterns, while the curved feet provide a stable foundation and complete the silhouette.
The dial is beautifully balanced. Roman numerals frame a recessed brass centre, while the faceted black hands and subtle Hermès Paris signature give it much of the charm we admire in vintage wristwatches. It feels purposeful, uncluttered and remarkably modern despite being many decades old.
Our favourite feature is one you won't notice at first glance.
The lantern rotates within its frame, allowing the small side door to swing open and reveal the Swiss eight-day manual-wind movement tucked neatly inside. Winding it each week becomes part of the experience. Opening the little brass door before giving the movement a few turns feels wonderfully mechanical, almost like preparing one of the flame lanterns that inspired its design before another evening's journey.
Beyond its function, this is simply an exceptionally satisfying object to live with. The weight of the solid brass construction, the interplay between polished brass and darker patinated metal, the beveled glass, and the way the lantern gently pivots within its stand all reward closer inspection. Every angle offers another thoughtful detail.
Perhaps that's what makes these early Hermès objects so compelling. They weren't designed to imitate the past, they came directly from it. This lantern clock carries the same equestrian DNA that shaped the house from its earliest days, reimagining an everyday carriage fitting into an object that's just as captivating today as it would have been sitting on a gentleman's writing desk nearly a century ago.
Overall, the clock presents in excellent vintage condition with an attractive patina throughout.
The brass and patinated metal case remains well preserved with surface wear consistent with age.
The original beveled glass panels remain intact and display beautifully.
The brass dial retains crisp Roman numerals with light, even ageing, while the Hermès Paris signature remains visible.
The faceted blued steel hands remain original and complement the lantern design beautifully.
The rotating case, hinged access door and eight-day Swiss manual-wind movement all operate as intended.
Ordering: Please provide your name, address, email, and phone number. An invoice will be emailed with payment instructions, along with a shipping quote tailored to your location.
Shipping: Fully insured via FedEx, DHL, or UPS. Ships within two business days after payment clears. Worldwide shipping available.
US Tariffs: We take a thoughtful cross-border approach to keep import costs low with no unexpected surprises.
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