My weekend watch, if I'm honest
By Priya Nair, Singapore ·
Hermès making a sports watch for men who buy their sneakers in Paris: that's how it sounded on paper. On the wrist, it's another matter.
Designed by Philippe Delhotal and launched in 2021, the H08 is a cushion-shaped titanium case at 39 mm and 10.5 mm thick, black dial with a quirky numeral font, date, rubber strap, 100 m. It runs on the H1837 automatic with 50 hours. Titanium means it weighs almost nothing, the rubber strap shrugs off a sticky afternoon, and the shape is just unusual enough to look considered rather than off the shelf.
Against it: at 6,000 to 7,000 dollars it's priced against a Santos Medium, and the Santos is the better-known watch with a far better resale story. The H08 is still a newcomer, and Hermès watches generally don't hold their value. The closed caseback means no peeking at the movement, if that matters to you.
But for a Saturday of brunch, a boat trip and an evening drink, it's the watch I'd reach for. And it's one of the few sports watches I'd happily borrow from a man.