When it comes to Hermès craftsmanship, even the smallest detail has a purpose — including how each piece of hardware is attached.

The signature “one-nail technique” uses a single long nail driven from underneath the hardware base. After the nail passes through, the excess length is carefully trimmed, and the head is hand-hammered and polished into a smooth mushroom shape to lock the metal firmly in place.

This process makes the hardware extremely durable and almost impossible to loosen, one of the quiet signs of true quality.

However, there’s a small trade-off — hammering slightly breaks the plating layer, which means the nail head may darken or oxidize over time. The speed and degree of this oxidation depend largely on air humidity and environment.

Collectors know this natural patina isn’t a flaw — it’s proof of genuine craftsmanship, the kind that can’t be faked by mass production.