ODE to Box Calf

[QuelleFromage]

Hi all, I’ve got my eye on a K28 retourne in black box from 2002. My first Hermes bag is a K28 Sellier in part because I know I won’t have the patience to store a Retourne (in the more common leathers) properly to maintain its shape. But this box K I’m eyeing is just so beautiful (even with its flaws), can anyone advise how much work it is to maintain the shape of a box K?

I had the same bag from 2001. Box is quite rigid, so in retourne the shape is retained easily. I have a retourne Box Kelly from 1952 (70 years old) and it has retained almost all of its shape. I think you can even store it upright if you wish.

 

[Franny0303]

As above, any Box BKC is push offer at the moment. MC Copernic def exists, but rare. I have seen other wallet designs with a mix of Croc, a la Touch. Also rather rare.

What is a push offer?

 

[periogirl28]

What is a push offer?

Push offers are items not available for regular store order. Paris offers it on an ad hoc basis to stores which can then accept or not. The store managers therefore are not aware of whether these push offers will be ever suggested and thus cannot allocate them to their customers.

 

[Friscalating]

I had the same bag from 2001. Box is quite rigid, so in retourne the shape is retained easily. I have a retourne Box Kelly from 1952 (70 years old) and it has retained almost all of its shape. I think you can even store it upright if you wish.

Thanks for the insight! And your 1952 Kelly sounds amazing!

 

[Franny0303]

Push offers are items not available for regular store order. Paris offers it on an ad hoc basis to stores which can then accept or not. The store managers therefore are not aware of whether these push offers will be ever suggested and thus cannot allocate them to their customers.

Thank you!!

 

[Goobydoobydoo]

So happy to have been offered this today!

 

[Friscalating]

Folks with vintage box calf pieces: I’ve read in previous threads that cracks are pretty much a no-no because they can’t be fixed, but are all cracks equal? How bad do these cracks look to you? (I recognise it’s not the best photo to assess…) I don’t mind not getting a pristine bag because psychologically there’ll be less pressure to maintain it but just wondering if cracks should be a dealbreaker (the climate here is humid for most of the year)

 

[QuelleFromage]

Folks with vintage box calf pieces: I’ve read in previous threads that cracks are pretty much a no-no because they can’t be fixed, but are all cracks equal? How bad do these cracks look to you? (I recognise it’s not the best photo to assess…) I don’t mind not getting a pristine bag because psychologically there’ll be less pressure to maintain it but just wondering if cracks should be a dealbreaker (the climate here is humid for most of the year)
View attachment 5632042

I mean....this isn't great, but it's more dryness than anything. This is a high stress area for the bag so there's danger of the cracks expanding and becoming much more noticeable. Can't be repaired but some conditioning *might* help. Personally I'd probably pass.

 

[Friscalating]

I mean....this isn't great, but it's more dryness than anything. This is a high stress area for the bag so there's danger of the cracks expanding and becoming much more noticeable. Can't be repaired but some conditioning *might* help. Personally I'd probably pass.

Thanks for your insight once again, QuelleFromage, I might go in to the shop again and take a closer look. That’s a a good point about the high stress area too.

 

[candyapple15]

A new-to-me box leather bolide 31 from 1997, my second box bag and I am addicted to this leather.

 

[Celestial Blue]

A new-to-me box leather bolide 31 from 1997, my second box bag and I am addicted to this leather.

View attachment 5637561

She’s so lovely! Enjoy her in good health!

 

[ohsocute8888]

I recently bought my first box rouge h from Fashionphile. Am absolutely in love! I’m done with Togo, Epsom etc etc. I’m strictly a palladium hardware person. I haven’t seen any pre-1990 bags with that hardware. Does anyone know if it exists? I am now hunting for a grey box Kelly 28 with palladium hardware, and it is elusive!! View attachment 5371969

I don’t know if anyone answered your question on the gray box Kelly. I have a k32 gray box from 2005 with palladium hardware.

 

[Mrs.Hermess]

I am sooo enjoying all these beautiful pics. Box is currently my favorite leather. Would love a vintage box Constance in 24 (ghw).

 

[pinkispunk]

I don’t know if anyone answered your question on the gray box Kelly. I have a k32 gray box from 2005 with palladium hardware.

Thank you so much! I’ll keep hunting!

 

[escamillo]

I’m new to Hermes and decided to start with box SLGs because it’s such a classic leather. Looking forward to the patina process given that these will be used daily


Does anyone with the box Calvi or Bastia find they need to condition the corners regularly? I want to be hands off and let them get a worn-in look, but I’m wary of damaging the sharp edges.