A square in a rectangle, on a strap that wraps twice
By Priya Nair, Singapore ·
Henri d'Origny designed the Cape Cod in 1991 by putting a square dial inside a rectangle, inspired by Hermès's anchor-chain link. Then, later in the decade, Martin Margiela, then designing for Hermès, gave it the Double Tour strap that wraps twice round the wrist, and the watch became a fashion object in its own right.
The small is 23 mm, 7 mm thick, steel, silver dial, ETA quartz, 30 m, on leather. On the wrist it's charming, and the leather is a sensory pleasure in the way only Hermès leather is.
But let's be clear about the movement: an ETA quartz, at 3,150 to 3,500 dollars. You are paying for the orange box. Resale is modest, and straps cost an unreasonable amount to replace. I'd buy it as a gift, or for myself as a weekend watch with jeans and a crisp shirt. I wouldn't call it a watch purchase.