Hermès HAC Haut à Courroies 40 — Khaki Green Togo Leather, 2012
Before the Birkin, there was the Haut à Courroies — and for serious Hermès connoisseurs, the HAC remains the more prestigious of the two. This exceptional HAC 40 in Khaki Green Togo leather from 2012 is a masterclass in understated luxury: a working bag of historical significance, built to an extraordinary standard, in one of the most versatile and wearable colourways in the Hermès palette.
History & Significance
The Haut à Courroies — French for "high strap bag" — is the oldest bag in the Hermès archive, originally designed in the early 20th century to carry riding gear and saddles. Its tall, structured silhouette and double-strap closure predate the Birkin by decades, making it one of the most historically significant pieces a collector can own. The HAC 40 is the largest standard size, commanding immediate presence while remaining eminently functional.
Leather & Colour
Togo leather is among the most beloved Hermès leathers for everyday use — a pebbled, scratch-resistant calfskin that develops a beautiful patina over time and holds its structure exceptionally well. The Khaki Green colourway sits in the earthy, military-inflected part of the Hermès spectrum: deeply sophisticated, seasonless, and endlessly versatile. In different lighting conditions the colour shifts from warm olive to a cooler grey-green, making it one of the most dynamic tones in the archive.
Hardware & Closure
Secured with the iconic double-strap closure and padlock in palladium (silver-tone) hardware, consistent with Hermès's 2012 production. The polished hardware provides a clean contrast against the matte pebbled leather.
