The Apple Watch Hermes edition is the most expensive wearable Apple offers. Here's what you get, for what is essentially a fancy Apple Watch Series 11 with an enormous price tag.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of Apple and Hermes partnering for the special edition of the Apple Watch. We've had several versions over the years, and I think this may be one of the best ones to date.

I have in the studio the Hermes 46mm silver titanium Apple Watch Series 11. I wasted no time setting it up with my iPhone 17 Pro to check out the new faces.

Subscribe to AppleInsider on YouTube

Unboxing experience

Part of what separates the Hermes version is the experience. Apple elevates every aspect of the unboxing here, starting with the iconic orange box instead of the paper wrapper.

Two orange boxes, one with a logo and the other labeled Apple Watch Hermes, held by hands on a gray background.

The Hermes edition comes in bespoke orange boxes

The watch box and the band box both slide out of the outer cover, both individually sealed. On the box with the watch, you'll find a black outline of the watch, accompanied by an outline of the Hermes Faubourg storefront.

White box with orange and black arch design, housing a small gray, rectangular item on a gray felt background.

You are greeted by a miniature storefront inside the box

As you open the watch, you see the paper-wrapped watch on the left, with the charger and getting started guide to the right. This still looks nice, but is a bit pared back as Apple continues to push for more eco-friendly packaging.

The getting started guide looks very cool this year, with three arcs cut into the outer paper. The paper pamphlet on the inside is visible through those arcs, representing an orange Hermes storefront.

Hands holding a Hermes card featuring three arch designs with small illustrations and text reading 'Designed by Apple in California & Hermes in Paris.'

As you remove the getting started guide, it reveals a vignette of the Hermes store

As you pull the paper out, the color shifts to blue before revealing a glimpse inside the store. You can see a boombox playing music, a person, a celebratory cake, and more.

I know this is just the packaging, but it's still cool and makes opening this more of an experience versus just something to rush through. It's something both Hermes and Apple are historically known for.

The watch itself is the same as any other Apple Watch. It comes in both 42mm and 46mm sizes of the Apple Watch Series 11 and the Apple Watch Ultra 3.

You can only get it in silver titanium, which does have some users miffed. If you want a polished silver Apple Watch, your only option is to get the Hermes version.

Two smartwatches placed side by side on a soft surface with colorful straps, against a blurred purple background.

The silver titanium Hermes Apple Watch on top of the slightly darker, natural titanium Apple Watch

The regular Apple Watch Series 11 in polished titanium only comes in natural, gold, and slate. Natural is the closest to pure silver, but has a slight yellow tint.

A hand holding an Hermes Apple Watch with a swirling orange loading screen

Upon setup, the Hermes edition shows an orange loading screen

On the back of the watch, you'll see the Hermes designation, and during setup, the loading screen is orange instead of white. Otherwise, it's the same.

Hermes Apple Watch bands

There are many Hermes Apple Watch bands you can choose from when picking one of these up. Apple has some new ones this year, including a sleek stainless steel link band and a new Scub'H one for the Ultra 3.

Hands holding a dark blue watch band with rectangular white and blue patterns resembling windows on a textured gray background.

The Faubourg Party knit Apple Watch band from Hermes

I opted to try out the new woven Faubourg Party band. It's a "durable jacquard knit band" with an homage to the Hermes Faubourg Saint-Honore store, which we also saw on the box.

Hands holding a blue and white woven fabric strap with a metal clasp against a plain background.

A small tag is sewn on the underside of the band

Comfortable and well-made, the band features a polished stainless steel clasp and a discreet tag stitched on the underside. Overall, a well-designed Hermes band that aligns with the brand's anniversary milestone.

A smartwatch with an orange band lies on a soft gray fabric surface, showing the back and clasp of the watch.

You also get an Hermes orange sport band in the box

As an added bonus, the Hermes Apple Watch comes with a second Hermes orange-colored sport band. It's Apple's typical sport band, but in this exclusive color.

Hand holding an orange strap with a black circular button marked 'Hermes Apple Watch' detailed in white.

The sport band also has an Hermes logo under the pin

The only other difference is the subtle "Hermes Apple Watch" branding etched on the underside of the metal pin. I always think this is a nice touch because you won't want to wear the pricey designer band you buy when working out.

Hermes watch faces

Bands aside, the most tangible reason to buy the Hermes Apple Watch Series 11 is the watch faces. Apple now includes six exclusive Hermes watch faces that users can customize.

Person holding a smartwatch featuring the Hermes Collection app screen, with a blue strap against a gray background.

The Hermes collection of watch faces has been updated for watchOS 26

This year, with watchOS 26, there is a new Faubourg Party face joining the mix. This one, again referencing the iconic store, has 24 different animations that users will see throughout the day.

Hand holding a smartwatch with a blue strap, displaying a cartoon window design with a cat and plants.

The Faubourg Party face has 24 unique animations

When it is in its idle state, it shows the top of the store on a dark background. As the watch is raised, one of the various animations will play out.

As I've spent time with the animations, I can attest to their quality. The faces are detailed and charming.

Smartwatch with blue pixel art dog face, blue strap, held between two hands on a gray background.

Apple's Clarus dogcow makes a cameo in one of the animations

There is even a reference to Clarus, the dogcow that was originally included in a very early version of macOS. Many devout Apple fans will love that.

You can watch the embedded video to see many of the animations, but they all show different activities at the Hermes store in delightful pixel art. I wish Apple did something similar to this for the non-Hermes models because the artwork is wonderful.

Is the Hermes version worth it?

In summary, you do get a few perks by picking up the Hermes version of the Apple Watch. This year, I'd say it's even a bit more than in years past.

You'll get the luxe, premium unboxing experience, a secondary band in the box for free, many little Hermes touches throughout, an exclusive silver color for the watch, bundles with Hermes bands, and six exclusive watch faces by buying this model.

The question then is whether or not all of that adds up to the hefty premium you'll pay for this watch, versus the standard Apple Watch Series 11. For the vast majority, that's going to be a full-throated "no."

A smartwatch with a colorful, geometric dial and a fabric strap rests on a textured surface.

The Hermes Apple Watch is beautiful and detailed, but expensive

Sans the watch faces, you get the same features on the base $399 aluminum model as you do with the $1,249 Hermes version. It may not need to be said, but the Hermes version isn't about value or features.

The Hermes version is a luxury fashion item with an unboxing experience and price tag to match. It's about owning an Hermes product and the perceived clout that comes with it.

I wouldn't fault anyone for buying "high fashion" items, whether it is clothing, jewelry, or this Apple Watch. You just can't compare it to the regular Apple Watch as if it is something being pitched to your average user.

After ten years, the package still reflects careful design and attention to detail. It's aimed at those who value craftsmanship and a refined experience over mainstream appeal.

Pick up the Hermes Apple Watch Series 11 or Hermes Apple Watch Ultra 3 directly from Apple starting at $1,249.