Hermes Sac a Depeche...what's the lowdown?

[woolymammoth]

The Hermes name aside and for the sake of argument (or non-argument) let's agree the price is extravagant, insane etc. I (the dog too) am interested in comments regarding craftsmanship, materials, leather (particularly Vache Trekking) etc. of the Sac a Depeche briefcase from owners, people in-the-know or window-shoppers. Thank you.

 

[ThinkDerm]

I got the version by Sutor Mantellassi. quite nice

 

[Griffindork]

I love mine. The leather is thicker than on similar cases that I've previously used. Mine is in sombrero leather, which I don't think they make anymore. In terms of craftsmanship, I'm not sure what I can say but it is a handmade product and if there were any issues, I would simply take it to Hermes. I don't think there will be. I didn't like the initialing they did for me and they simply replaced the leather piece with the initials and redid it at no charge.

 

[HRoi]

I like the dog. Is he wearing a Hermes beanie?

 

[woolymammoth]



I like the dog. Is he wearing a Hermes beanie?

No, but he has a Hermes scarf (but he lets me borrow it).

 

[Kuro]

Mine (in clemence) has held up well through the years, but I wish I got a quirius instead. I've come to dislike the lock as they've incorporated it as a design feature on shoes, boots.

Price must be ridiculous now, no?

 

[ThinkDerm]



Mine (in clemence) has held up well through the years, but I wish I got a quirius instead. I've come to dislike the lock as they've incorporated it as a design feature on shoes, boots.

Price must be ridiculous now, no?

it is.

 

[Gus]

Prices for beatup, used ones are crazy. Lets face it, it is a status piece. A good looking one and well made. But like many things from Hermes, if you are looking for value (i.e. a balance of quality and price) it isn't there. If you are looking for quality and status and price be damned, it is an excellent place to shop for a leather bag to carry your papers.

 

[LA Guy]

Prices for beatup, used ones are crazy. Lets face it, it is a status piece. A good looking one and well made. But like many things from Hermes, if you are looking for value (i.e. a balance of quality and price) it isn't there. If you are looking for quality and status and price be damned, it is an excellent place to shop for a leather bag to carry your papers.

It's a very beautiful piece (I've handled a lot of them, but I don't own one) - it's doubtful that you'll find a better bag anywhere, in terms of workmanship and materials. I also really like the Valextra version, which is less spendy, though if you are shelling on in the thousands for a briefcase, it's already pretty silly to be talking about being spendy. My preference though, is for Valextra's zip around portfolio. I carry one when I'm playing dress-up. It carries a computer, which, honestly, is probably tougher than the case, and more waterproof (a Panasonic toughbook), and often a snack. Sometimes a little travel toothpaste and toothbrush, because you may as well feel fresh if you are carting around a few grand worth of computer in a few more grand worth of sewn together leather.

I don't think that it's worth even worth talking about "value" when we start to talking about luxury goods. They are exactly that, luxuries.

 

[Griffindork]

^ I'm not particularly concerned about status. I wanted a hard briefcase and a soft case, and while I prefer to spend less, I wasn't particularly concerned about price. I'm going to use it for the rest of my life. I tried many many cases, and I didn't think there was much of a comparison between the leather Hermes uses and the leather everyone else uses for their soft cases. Valextra was a close second and I visited the Valextra store in Milan before I purchased my sac.

 

[LA Guy]

I'll probably have my bags for as long as I live as well, and they'll probably stay in decent conditions since I actually use them so seldom. I just think that they are beautiful items. If I suddenly have $6K or whatever that I need to spend for some reason, I may get a sac a depeche just to have one. Or if someone gives me one (it's happened, though not with a sac a depeche).

They are really beautiful bags.

 

[cyc wid it]

I remember CM used to have a thread on April in Paris. Surprised she doesn't get more talk over here. She's doing well (and moved locations earlier this year).

 

[Andy Simmons]

I own one and it is one of my proudest purchases. Buying the absolute best of something is an incredible feeling. It just makes me happy to look at it, handle it, use it, and to support artisans who operate at the highest level of their craft. You can't put a price on all that.

Of course, it is a stunning work of art, beautifully and lovingly made, and will last a lifetime. It is a reward to myself for hard work. I don't think of it as a status item, since frankly I honestly don't care what anyone thinks of it - or of me - when I carry it. But it makes ME feel great and that is priceless.