At this year’s Baselworld, Hermès brought poetic horology to new heights with the Le Temps Suspendu — a timepiece that lets you pause time itself. By pressing the button at 9 o’clock, the hour and minute hands jump to a “nonexistent” position, halting the display of time as if the world has momentarily stopped.
The 38mm stainless steel version best embodies the quiet elegance of this concept, while a diamond-set model offers added sophistication. Even the small seconds subdial at 4 o’clock hides a clever trick — when time resumes, the seconds hand rotates backward, evoking the illusion of time flowing in reverse.
Inside beats the Hermès H1912 automatic movement, the result of years of development. The most impressive achievement lies in how the movement continues to keep perfect time even while the display is “paused.” The mechanism is remarkably stable and designed for repeated use — a romantic complication that turns a philosophical idea into mechanical poetry.
As Hermès describes it, this is a watch not merely to read time, but to suspend it — a celebration of moments that truly matter.
Hermès Le Temps Suspendu 38mm Watch
316L stainless steel case, 38mm diameter; optional bezel set with 62 VVS diamonds (approx. 0.96ct); sapphire crystal front and back; mother-of-pearl dial; H1912 self-winding movement; 40 jewels; 28,800 vph; alligator leather strap with stainless steel pin buckle; water resistance 30m.
