Hermès “Espace” Attaché-case in reinforced carbon-carbon. | FerrariChat

Hermès “Espace” Attaché-case in reinforced carbon-carbon.

Discussion in 'Other Parts & Collectibles' started by WilyB, Dec 20, 2015.

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  1. WilyB

    WilyB F1 Rookie
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    #1 WilyB, Dec 20, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Unique New In Box Hermès “Espace” Attaché-case in reinforced carbon-carbon.

    In 1987 Hermès produced a very small batch of Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) attaché-cases in three sizes. RCC shall not be confused with ordinary carbon fiber. This RCC material was supplied to Hermès by la Société Européene de Propulsion (SEP, then part of the SNECMA Group, now SAFRAN) who made the nozzle for the European Ariane space launcher.

    It was developed for the nose cones of intercontinental ballistic missiles, and is most widely known as the material for the nose cone and wing leading edges of the Space Shuttle due to its exceptional lightness, long lifetime, outstanding resistance to thermal shocks and corrosion, perfect operational behavior, and mechanical properties stability at temperatures up to 2700°C.

    SEP’s carbon-carbon had a particular multi-dimensional and multi-directional texture. Mr. Dumas-Hermes used to own one such “Espace”: “[and he] likes to talk about his company's place in the modern world. He mentions that there are robots in the printing plant, that the carbon fiber in his new Hermes briefcase is the same as on the exterior of France's Ariane rocket,” MODERN MERCHANT - Jean-Louis Dumas-Hermes - Dressing Hermes for Success - NYTimes.com

    After having sold SEP’s RCC technology to a major US corporation, I bought the largest Espace attaché-case for my daily use. This attaché-case was refurbished by Hermès and stolen from their container while in transit back to me. After this event, they offered me a brand new smaller version of the Espace which I didn’t find a satisfactory compensation and therefore just kept in its original bag. I opened it twice: when they delivered it to me and to take the pictures for this post.

    They offered me money or to make a new one. I selected to have them make a new one for me but after quite some time they admitted they could not access this RCC material anymore. I settled for a large check.

    I am soon moving to the NW part of the USA and my wife suggested I should sell it as I was never going to use it anyway.

    It is serial # 469/500. The saddle leather inside still has that new leather fragrance that is unique to Hermès. Craftsmanship is superb, of course. Again, this is brand new in box, with a protective cover, a key holder and two keys. It comes in its original box and an apology letter from Hermès.

    Price back then was $8,850 when a large Crocodile Kelly handbag was $15,000. Now that Kelly goes for well over $50,000…

    From time to time one appears on eBay, often in poor condition. This one is new and has never ever been used.

    I am offering this space (pun intended) capsule for $16,000.

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    msquared, Ryan S., 4re308 and 3 others like this.
  2. Scuderia-San-Antonio

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  3. ROMO

    ROMO Formula 3
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    One of the cooler items I've seen on FCHAT.
     
  4. carguyjohn350

    carguyjohn350 F1 Rookie
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    That is really cool.
     
  5. 4re308

    4re308 F1 Rookie

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    Yes this is outrageously cool!! GL with the sale, its really amazing.
     
  6. GatorFL

    GatorFL Moderator
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    Nov 18, 2005
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    Agreed with everyone else--really cool. And thanks for the detailed description. GLWS
     
  7. Huskerbill

    Huskerbill F1 Rookie

    Sep 6, 2004
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    You overpaid. I got one (without a serial number- must have been the prototype and worth even more!) in New York for $250. Had the tags on it still and everything. Guy was selling Rolex watches and Prada bags too right out of his trunk. ;-)

    Cool story! And like a previous poster said, one of the cooler items I have seen on FChat.
     
    Spider2400 and Ryan S. like this.
  8. dmundy

    dmundy Formula 3
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    I have zero use for this, and I want it anyway. Too cool.
     
    daytona355 likes this.
  9. Il Vecchio

    Il Vecchio F1 Rookie

    Dec 27, 2007
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    It's gorgeous :)
     
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  10. darth550

    darth550 Six Time F1 World Champ
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    Jules and Vincent should've had that one, just to add to the lore!

    Sweet! :)
     
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  11. Mn-0127

    Mn-0127 Formula Junior

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  12. Turbo Squid

    Turbo Squid Rookie

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    Bump for carbon, and the seller is pretty nice too!
     
  13. Caeruleus11

    Caeruleus11 F1 World Champ
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    Absolutely sensational! GLWS!
     
  14. ScuderiaWithStickPlease

    ScuderiaWithStickPlease F1 World Champ

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  15. FiveLiterEater96

    FiveLiterEater96 Formula 3

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    I didn't know a briefcase could be so awesome.
     
  16. WilyB

    WilyB F1 Rookie
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    It is beautiful indeed, thank you, and still available. I am open to reasonable offers. :)
     
    Ryan S. likes this.
  17. PhantomCypher

    PhantomCypher Formula Junior

    May 25, 2014
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    Here's your first offer.

    I'll offer you what it was worth new.
     
  18. WilyB

    WilyB F1 Rookie
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    @PhamtomCypher: So sorry it took me a month to read your post. PM sent.
     
  19. WilyB

    WilyB F1 Rookie
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    I have not heard from Phantom, so I guess the Hermès Espace attaché-case in reinforced carbon-carbon is still available, for $9,000 FedeEx included to the contiguous 48-states.
     
  20. WilyB

    WilyB F1 Rookie
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    New Price for Xmas 2018: $8,850, FedeEx included to the contiguous 48-states.
     
  21. WilyB

    WilyB F1 Rookie
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    New Price for Xmas 2018: $8,100, FedEx included to the contiguous 48-states.
     
  22. WilyB

    WilyB F1 Rookie
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    New Price for the summer of 2018: $7,500, FedEx included to the contiguous 48-states. :)

    Shipping from Scottsdale, AZ.
     
  23. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Um, it's Summer of 2019, down on Galveston Island...
     
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  24. syata

    syata Formula Junior

    Feb 23, 2017
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    Thanks BigTex...2018 price was $7500 now a year later the price will go up due to inflation...lol.
    GLWTS


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
     
    WilyB likes this.
  25. paulchua

    paulchua Cat Herder
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    Jul 1, 2013
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    I just had to say this is coolest case I've ever seen in my life.
     
    Caeruleus11, daytona355 and WilyB like this.

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