Ode to the bolide

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#9,526
I have been lusting for a black Bolide 31 in epsom or box for some time now. I went to my local Hermes boutique in Orange County, CA yesterday and my SA put me on the wait list for the bag. She was not able to tell me an estimated time frame, based on her past experience. Does anyone in this forum have any idea how long I will have to wait to get this beautiful bag? 6 months? 1 or 2 years?
I also asked her to put me on a wait list for a Bearn wallet in etoupe with gold hardware. Again, she was not able to give me any time estimate. Fingers, toes and eyelashes all crossed for a shorter wait time - especially for the Bolide!
 
#9,528
One Smart Cookie said:
I have been lusting for a black Bolide 31 in epsom or box for some time now. I went to my local Hermes boutique in Orange County, CA yesterday and my SA put me on the wait list for the bag. She was not able to tell me an estimated time frame, based on her past experience. Does anyone in this forum have any idea how long I will have to wait to get this beautiful bag? 6 months? 1 or 2 years?
I also asked her to put me on a wait list for a Bearn wallet in etoupe with gold hardware. Again, she was not able to give me any time estimate. Fingers, toes and eyelashes all crossed for a shorter wait time - especially for the Bolide!
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I have the sense that Bolide 31s are pretty rare ATM, and in box rarer still. As I’m sure you know, demand is very high for small bags right now, and the anticipated shift to larger sizes hasn’t really come to fruition yet. You might consider a reputable reseller for something like a 31 in box if you’re looking for a bag sooner rather than later.

I want to add that I’m not pushing the reseller route, everyone has to make their own assessment about the merits of that decision, but even though production of box leather recently has increased somewhat, it’s still somewhat of a unicorn, and you may be behind a long list of box aficionados. :flowers:
 
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#9,529
One Smart Cookie said:
LOVE your bag! May I ask where you were able to get it? It appears to be Epsom leather, which is what I want. Thanks for sharing!
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Hi Cookie,

I got my Bolide and Twilly at the airport (in ASIA), I believe it's not a quota bag. They also had mini bolide (yellow) at that time but it's too small for me so I didnt take it.

Wish you good luck in getting Bolide 31!
 
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#9,530
textilegirl said:
I have the sense that Bolide 31s are pretty rare ATM, and in box rarer still. As I’m sure you know, demand is very high for small bags right now, and the anticipated shift to larger sizes hasn’t really come to fruition yet. You might consider a reputable reseller for something like a 31 in box if you’re looking for a bag sooner rather than later.

I want to add that I’m not pushing the reseller route, everyone has to make their own assessment about the merits of that decision, but even though production of box leather recently has increased somewhat, it’s still somewhat of a unicorn, and you may be behind a long list of box aficionados. :flowers:
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Textilegirl, Thanks so much for your reply. I have been looking for months on the resale market for a black Bolide 31 in either Epsom or Box leather. While I am very open to purchasing a pre-loved bag, I have not been able to find one in very good condition. Admittedly, I am picky! That is why I visited my local Hermes boutique yesterday to get on the wait list for my dream Bolide. My SA is very nice, but she was not able to give me any hope for when I might get THE CALL from her. I am so bummed!
 
#9,531
One Smart Cookie said:
Textilegirl, Thanks so much for your reply. I have been looking for months on the resale market for a black Bolide 31 in either Epsom or Box leather. While I am very open to purchasing a pre-loved bag, I have not been able to find one in very good condition. Admittedly, I am picky! That is why I visited my local Hermes boutique yesterday to get on the wait list for my dream Bolide. My SA is very nice, but she was not able to give me any hope for when I might get THE CALL from her. I am so bummed!
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Good luck with your search!
 
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#9,532
textilegirl said:
I think Sothebys has mostly gotten it right. The 'other' bolide is called the Bolide (so the two versions are Bolide and Bolide 1923). The Bolide has the oval patch, and the handles are slightly longer, accommodating over the wrist/crook of the elbow carry. The Bolide 1923 handles are shorter, and some people have difficulty getting them past the wrist so this version can for some end up being only carried by hand. The only other aspect is that some of the Bolide 1923's have an additional slip pocket in the front. I'm not certain when that was added, or indeed if it was original to the 1923 and then later removed. Calling @papertiger who knows a lot more about bolides than I.
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papertiger said:
I think you've basically stated most of the differences but I think there are are basically 7 distinct Bolides.

1 Bolide 1923 (original shape) it's the newest as well as the oldest (1923). It has more pronounced shoulders, no strap and shorter handles.
2. The Bolide with the patch (for a monogram) is a more domed shape that has been around since the 1930s. Most smaller sizes have a strap.
3. Web Bolide 1923 with the front pockets. Same shape as the 1923 and has been available in travel size (45) as well as smaller. The larger is semi-lined in leather. No strap.
4. Bolides (like 2) with hard compartment and lever locks (these were available before the 1980s McPherson, named after the model Elle). No straps.
5. Bolide Relax: like 1 but in Sikkim leather and travel size. No strap.
6. Travel Bolides: Like 2 but canvas-lined and 45. No strap.
7. Bolide Secret: A small (24cm) Swift leather Bolide 1923 with a zipped compartment. Like 4, these are quite N-S (27cm tall). No strap. Short run.

Bolide on wheels could be another, but more a novelty.

Men's Ltd Eds are usually Bolide 1923 in travel sizes (45).

Anymore versions, please feel free to add.
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J'adoreHermes said:
The Bolide Désordre does have the patch despite it being on a 1923 shape. The other key difference between the 1923 and the Bolide is the Bolide (#2 in the very thorough list made by @papertiger) has stitching on the outside below the handles and the oval patch. The Bolide Relax has the same exterior stitching, thus is more similar to the Bolide.

Also, I recently saw this beauty and thought I would share. It’s a 45cm travel Bolide in the shape of the 1923. The design is Soies Volantes in a silk velvet. The handles and piping are in Box Rouge H. View attachment 5848701
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Thank you for all the wonderful info! You guys are the very best, despite the current Hermemania (lol) TPF is still the perfect place for Hermes reliable wisdom. X
 
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#9,533
One Smart Cookie said:
I have been lusting for a black Bolide 31 in epsom or box for some time now. I went to my local Hermes boutique in Orange County, CA yesterday and my SA put me on the wait list for the bag. She was not able to tell me an estimated time frame, based on her past experience. Does anyone in this forum have any idea how long I will have to wait to get this beautiful bag? 6 months? 1 or 2 years?
I also asked her to put me on a wait list for a Bearn wallet in etoupe with gold hardware. Again, she was not able to give me any time estimate. Fingers, toes and eyelashes all crossed for a shorter wait time - especially for the Bolide!
Click to expand...
As has already been told to you here and here by an OG expert @Meta , the Bolide 31 is not currently being made in Epsom nor box leather. If it’s not being made, it is impossible for your SA to offer it to you and you will be waiting forever (or until/if they decide to start using those leathers on this design again, unlikely, in my opinion). Your only options are to change your specs or continue to hunt resale/lower your condition standards. Good luck.
 
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#9,534
acrowcounted said:
As has already been told to you here and here by an OG expert @Meta , the Bolide 31 is not currently being made in Epsom nor box leather. If it’s not being made, it is impossible for your SA to offer it to you and you will be waiting forever (or until/if they decide to start using those leathers on this design again, unlikely, in my opinion). Your only options are to change your specs or continue to hunt resale/lower your condition standards. Good luck.
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Is the Bolide 31 being made in any leather at this point? I haven’t seen one at my local H in any leather in several years. I’ve seen the Bolide 1923 30 in novillo leather and some exotic leathers but even those are few and far between these days.
 
#9,535
DoggieBags said:
Is the Bolide 31 being made in any leather at this point? I haven’t seen one at my local H in any leather in several years. I’ve seen the Bolide 1923 30 in novillo leather and some exotic leathers but even those are few and far between these days.
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Agree, I mainly see the 30. The only new Box Bolide I've seen recently is 1923 in a 30 and I think those are push offer pieces for the overall new availability of Box.
 
#9,537
DoggieBags said:
Is the Bolide 31 being made in any leather at this point? I haven’t seen one at my local H in any leather in several years. I’ve seen the Bolide 1923 30 in novillo leather and some exotic leathers but even those are few and far between these days.
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I think there are still Clemence 31s; recently - probably within last two months? - there was one on Hermes.com (Canada). But I agree they are much rarer nowadays; if I were to guess, I’d say it’s because production of larger bags have been deprioritized & stores are ordering fewer of them.

ETA: and for sure I would say that if someone is looking for box or Epsom, Clemence is very different. Second hand is likely the only option for those.
 
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