Hermes Appear to have Discontinued the Apple Airtag Keyring, an end to the Apple Hermes collab?

 

One of the most confusing and lucrative collaboration's in technology and luxury goods is that of Hermes and Apple.  The two brands seem on one level diametrically opposed.  Apple is a mass-consumer brand, with devices at all price points, and Hermes is the absolute pinnacle of luxury, that compromises for no-one, and is famous for their bags being Veblen goods.   Yet on the other hand since the days of Steve Job's Apple has positioned itself as a luxury electronics brand, and has premium prices.  While a collaboration with Bang & Olufsen might seem to make more sense, Apple's cachet make this on brand.

Yet, the approach to it is very perplexing.  For example, the two brands are very much at odds in respect of sustainability. Apple announced they will not use any natural leather, or sell them, in 2023.  This is they claim out of respect for Steve Jobs, who was a vegan.  Whatever the case, leather is the cornerstone of Hermes's business.  Which has created a  bizarre split on the Apple Hermes products.  Where Apple only sells synthetic and natural fibre items, while Hermes still make and sell leather ones.

Now we turn to the subject of this article, the Apple Hermes Airtag Keyring.   Since the leather embargo at Apple, the Hermes Airtag's disappeared from Apple's stores.  As there's no alternative to a leather option.  Because these are specially branded Hermes Airtag's in Hermes leather sleeves.  As of time of writing, the keyring's are now no longer available, with only the bag charms in Hermes stores for purchase.  Furthermore, contact with Hermes boutiques has confirmed the keyring's are no longer sold.  

This throws up some questions.  Was the keyring discontinued due to quality issues? There was a brief recall of these in 2021, and again in 2023.  So have these stopped selling for that reason, or is it an indicator that the whole Airtag Hermes range is on the way out?  If the answer to the second question is yes, could we then see Apple and Hermes parting ways?  Perhaps behind closed doors the difference of opinion on leather bands is irreconcilable, and this could be the beginning of the end.  Since the Apple Watch Hermes 10 was just released, evidence suggest no.  But that might be the last hurrah, and the two companies may part ways.

Or they might release new Hermes Airtag's in non-leather holders.  At this point, all we have is pointless conjecture.  But frankly that's most of the internet really, so hey-ho.