Hermès Belt Buckle Watch from 1930s
View Similar Items
Hermès Belt Buckle Watch from 1930s
About the Item
- Creator:Hermès (Fashion House)
- Dimensions:Height: 0.35 in (8.89 mm)Width: 2.8 in (7.12 cm)Depth: 1.22 in (3.1 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1930s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1853322867102
Hermès
For Hermès, what began as a maker of leather equestrian goods for European noblemen would eventually grow into one of the most storied fashion labels in the world. In 1837, German-born French entrepreneur Thierry Hermès opened a saddle and harness purveyor in Paris. Gradually, the house extended into accessories and luggage for its riders, and today, in paying homage to its origins, the family-run luxury brand resurfaces horse motifs in everything from clothing and modernist jewelry to pillows and handbags.
The first top-handled bag ever produced by Hermès was the Haut à courroies, which made its debut in 1892. A tall bag secured with a folded leather flap (fastened with bridle-inspired straps), it was designed to transport riding boots and a harness.
As the world made the switch from horse to automobile, the bag adapted, becoming a multifunctional travel satchel instead of a designated saddlebag. Today, 120 years later, the HAC remains in Hermès’s line — and its distinctive flap and clasping straps have laid the groundwork for some of the house’s other iconic bags.
In the 1930s, Robert Dumas (son-in-law to Émile-Maurice Hermès, Thierry’s grandson) designed a smaller, trapezoidal take on the flap bag with a handle and two side straps. Later, actress Grace Kelly, then engaged to Prince Rainier of Monaco, is said to have used one of these bags to conceal her pregnancy during the 1950s. Because she was photographed constantly, the coverage catapulted her handbag to international popularity.
In 1977, Hermès officially renamed the model for her, and the Kelly bag was born. Each Kelly bag takes between 18 and 25 hours to produce, and its 680 hand stitches owe solely to one Hermès artisan.
Robert Dumas was also responsible for another one of the brand’s most iconic offerings: the launch of its first silk scarf on the occasion of Hermès’s 100th anniversary in 1937. Based on a woodblock designed by Dumas and printed on Chinese silk, the accessory was an immediate hit.
Today, vintage Hermès scarves, typically adorned in rich colors and elaborate patterns, serve many functions, just as they did back then. Well-heeled women wear it on their heads, around their necks and, in a genius piece of cross-promotion, tied to the straps of their Hermès bags. Kelly even once used one as a sling for her broken arm.
In 1981, Robert Dumas’s son Jean-Louis Dumas, then Hermès chairman, found himself sitting next to French actress and musician Jane Birkin on a plane, where she was complaining about finding a suitable carryall for the necessary accoutrements of motherhood. After the two travelers were properly introduced, Birkin helped design Jean-Louis’s most famous contribution to the Hermès canon: the Birkin bag, a roomy, square catchall with the HAC’s trademark leather flap top and the addition of a lock and key.
Owing to the brand’s legendary commitment to deft, handcrafted construction, the Birkin is an investment that is coveted by collectors everywhere.
While the Kelly and Birkin may be standouts, gracing the arms of everyone from royal heiresses to hip-hop stars in the past few decades, the handbags are but a small part of Hermès’s fashion offerings.
Since the 1920s, the brand has produced some of the most desirable leather goods in the world. There’s the Constance bag, a favorite of Jacqueline Kennedy, the recently relaunched 1970s-era Evelyne and, on the vintage market, a slew of designs dating back to the 1920s.
Good design never goes out of style. Find a variety of vintage Hermès handbags, day dresses, shoes and more on 1stDibs.
- Brass and Wood Bike Pump, 1930s USALocated in Los Angeles, CACool 1930s antiqued brass and wood bike pump with rubber hose. Metal base with 'Unbreakable Base' embossed on the surface. Amazing patina to body and woode...Category
Vintage 1930s American Sports Equipment and Memorabilia
MaterialsBrass
- Hermes Riding CropBy HermèsLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage Hermes riding crop with deer antler handle. The shaft is covered in a beautifully braided leather and finished at the bottom with twine. The...Category
Vintage 1960s English Sports Equipment and Memorabilia
MaterialsSilver
$1,500 - Mini Hermes Playing CardsBy HermèsLocated in Los Angeles, CAHermès mini playing cards in the original box and original wrapping. Made in France. Both sets are sealed and unused. Gold gilded edges on both decks. One b...Category
Vintage 1970s French Games
MaterialsPlastic, Paper
- Hermes Playing Cards, 1970s FranceBy HermèsLocated in Los Angeles, CAHermès playing cards in the original box and in good vintage condition. Made in France. Both sets are complete and feature gold gilded edges on bo...Category
Vintage 1970s French Games
MaterialsPlastic, Paper
- Hermes Silver Cube Lighter, 1960s FranceBy HermèsLocated in Los Angeles, CAMagnificent cube lighter by Hermes, Paris, circa 1960s France. Hermes H displayed on all 4 sides. Silver plated. Stamped Hermes, Paris underneath. Heavy a...Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsMetal, Silver
- Metal Rescue Stretcher from the French AlpsLocated in Los Angeles, CAUnusual metal stretcher from the French Alps, circa 1960. Thick metal bars with wire frame. Great piece for a winter home. Good vintage condition.Category
Vintage 1960s French Antiquities
MaterialsMetal
- Early 20th Century Smiths Astral 'Great Britain' Shipboard Clock, circa 1930sLocated in Bridgeport, CTEarly 20th century Smiths Astral [Great Britain] shipboard brass clock, circa 1930. A brass case with inset beveled glass panel that reveals a silvertone...Category
Vintage 1930s English Industrial Nautical Objects
MaterialsBrass
- Oyster Perpetual Datejust Gold Watch, Jewelry, 70sBy RolexLocated in Valladolid, ESOutstanding Rolex made in yellow gold, 18 carats. All the characteristics are detailed below... if you want to know any other information, do not hesitate to contact us. Model OYSTER PERPETUAL DATEJUST 6917 - Movement: Automatic mechanical...Category
Vintage 1970s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Collectible Jewelry
MaterialsGold
- Vintage 1930s Black Leather Medicine Ball from a Gym, Czech Republic, 1930sLocated in Vienna, ATA decorative handcrafted medicine ball from a Czech gym, dated circa 1930s. Made of thick black saddle leather in good vintage condition with charming patina...Category
Vintage 1930s Czech Art Deco Sports Equipment and Memorabilia
MaterialsLeather
- Parmigiani Fleurier, 'Nubia', Extremely Fine, Unique 18k Pink Gold Pocket WatchLocated in London, GBParmigiani Fleurier, 'Nubia' - an extremely fine and unique 18K pink gold pocket watch Swiss, Early 21st Century Measures: Height 9cm, width 6.5cm, depth 1.5cm Open: height 9.5cm,...Category
Early 2000s Swiss Egyptian Revival Collectible Jewelry
MaterialsOnyx, Gold
- Early 19th Century Brass and Onyx Set Stone Watch KeyLocated in Delft, NLAn early 19th century brass and Onyx set stone watch key. An early 19th century brass watch key with an Onyx oval stone set at the top. The head is fl...Category
Antique Early 19th Century European Collectible Jewelry
MaterialsBrass
- 19th Century Agate spinner watch key and wax seal stampLocated in Delft, NL19th Century Agate spinner watch key and wax seal stamp A 19th Century pocket watch key with Agate. The center is hinged to enable the inlaid cut Aga...Category
Antique Early 19th Century European Collectible Jewelry
MaterialsAgate, Brass
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
The Hermès Passe-Guide Bag Might Not Be as Well Known as the Birkin or Kelly, But It’s Every Bit as Chic
Find out why this under-the-radar piece is so exceptional.
How to Spot a Fake Hermès Birkin Bag
The iconic Birkin bag is much coveted — and often copied. Find out how to tell the real deal from a convincing fake. Of course, you don't have to worry about this on 1stDibs, where every seller is highly vetted.