Hermès has done it again.
While other luxury brands are reporting slow earnings or even declining profits, the family-owned French brand has quietly announced increased revenues for Q3 and indeed the first nine months of this year. And although every division — except the watches metier which reported a -6% revenue — posted increased growth, it comes as no surprise that the leather goods and saddlery unit had the highest number at +17%, tying with the brand’s ‘other Hermès sector.’
Unless there is a major market shift or some new brand comes in and manages to do what no other luxury fashion brand has been able to achieve in years, Hermès purses will remain in high demand and sustain their status as top alternative luxury assets that command high resale prices year in year out.
While you can choose to purchase any Birkin or Kelly bag to build your collection, seasoned collectors will tell you that a careful selection of Hermès purses is what sets successful collectors apart from those buying just to make a quick profit. This careful selection could include hunting down rare pieces, or adding unusual designs to your stash, like those with the not-so-common electrum hardware which the brand has recently and stealthily reintroduced to some of its purses.
According to Hermès, the electrum hardware is a unique marriage of two metals commonly used in their handbags: palladium and gold. This combination can be used in different areas of a purse’s hardware and has a distinct look from the others that traditionally feature just one of either metal.
Per PurseBop, a bag with the electrum hardware will usually have the touret (Kelly turn lock) and rivets in gold while the plaque, sangles, pontet, four clou, clochette, v-hook, and clasps on the shoulder strap will be made of palladium.
While this may seem like a new idea, electrum hardware was first used on a Hermès purse, the Rouge Vif lizard clutch, back in 1989. It has quietly appeared in other not-so-popular models recently, like the 24/24 bags, but this would be the first time it is appearing on the iconic Kelly bag.
Models that currently feature the electrum hardware include the Kelly 25 in shades of Vert Moyen, Gris Platine, Rouge H and Noir; the 24/24 bags, and, the Cinhetic bag. Since Hermès has not officially announced anything about this unique hardware combination, it would be hard to say how long it would go on for, and whether or not electrum will become a regular feature in other models.
Which means that today is the best time to add to cart if you’re looking for a truly unique Hermès bag and are serious about building a collection of purses from the French luxury maison to die for.