Hermès Enters Luxury Audio with $15,000 Headphones by Ateliers Horizons

French luxury maison Hermès has unveiled its first-ever personal audio product. These newly launched headphones mark the brand’s continued expansion into the tech space, following the earlier release of the Apple Watch Hermès in collaboration with Apple. Priced at $15,000 USD, the headphones fuse high-fidelity audio technology with traditional craftsmanship—an embodiment of the Hermès aesthetic.

The project was led by Axel de Beaufort, Creative Director of Ateliers Horizons, Hermès’ bespoke workshop. Since 2012, de Beaufort has overseen the atelier, producing an array of imaginative custom creations such as canoes, surfboards, and mirrored disco balls.

Ateliers Horizons, located in Pantin on the outskirts of Paris, is home to a team of approximately 50 designers, engineers, and artisans. Every project is developed entirely in-house. Even items like airplane leather seats and foosball table handles are hand-stitched—an attention to detail that defines the workshop’s ethos.

Importantly, these headphones were not based on any existing product. Instead, Hermès approached the design from the ground up, aiming to create a signature Hermès sound through a completely original acoustic design.

The standout feature lies in the design and finish, inspired by the brand’s iconic Kelly bag. Each pair is crafted from calf leather, hand-stitched with meticulous precision, while the metal components feature a subtle yet refined brushed finish. Available in five colors—Naturel, Black, Chocolate, Rouge H, and Prussian Blue—the headphones offer both Bluetooth and wired connectivity, marrying functionality with timeless beauty.

While the headphones will be released in limited quantities, this is not a strategy to drive exclusivity. Rather, it reflects the intensive craftsmanship required for each unit. The product brings together state-of-the-art audio engineering and leatherworking techniques rooted in saddle-making, resulting in a depth of value that transcends technical specifications.

With its harmonious balance of aesthetic beauty and structural precision, this remarkable piece is sure to become a coveted item for discerning collectors.