The Hermès Cape Cod, launched in 1991, is a rectangular watch with chamfered corners and a case that is slightly curved, designed by Henri d’Origny. It is made in steel, gold and other metals and is worn on a leather strap wound twice around the wrist, in the “Double Tour” style, or on a metal bracelet. The first models were quartz, and I could not find reliable official figures for the original sizes, so they are not stated here.

The case is inspired by the chain-anchor links of the Hermès “Chaîne d’ancre” bracelet. The name refers to the Massachusetts peninsula and suggests a seaside lifestyle, which suited Hermès’s relaxed luxury image.

The Cape Cod is widely seen as a modern classic of fashion-house watchmaking and one of the best-known Hermès watches. It remains in production, with many versions, including a mini model and a new interpretation of the 1991 design.