Hermes Constance Bag
In 1959, a Hermès designer named Catherine Chaillet was pregnant with her fifth child. Robert Dumas-Hermès, then chairman of the house, asked her to design a new bag. She named the finished piece after her daughter, born that year. The Constance has been in continuous production fo...
See moreIn 1959, a Hermès designer named Catherine Chaillet was pregnant with her fifth child. Robert Dumas-Hermès, then chairman of the house, asked her to design a new bag. She named the finished piece after her daughter, born that year. The Constance has been in continuous production for 66 years since. It is the third pillar of Hermès handbag design alongside the Kelly and the Birkin, and it is the one that belongs in a different conversation from both of them. Where the Birkin is a structured tote and the Kelly is a formal top handle bag, the Constance is a shoulder bag. It crosses the body. It moves differently. And it carries something the other two do not: the letter H, cast in metal and sprung with a mechanism that is one of the most elegant closures in fashion history.
Jacqueline Kennedy was photographed with it so frequently in the 1960s that the bag became inseparable from her image. That association cemented it as a cultural object before most people had heard the name Birkin. Every Constance at Konesseur has been authenticated against the full Hermès standard: blind stamp year, artisan code, hardware engraving, H clasp spring mechanism, stitching count, leather grain, and interior condition. The full Hermès collection at Konesseur includes the Birkin and Kelly alongside the Constance, each available for immediate acquisition without boutique allocation requirements.
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The Hermès Constance: Three Sizes, One Iconic Clasp
The Constance is currently available in four sizes: the Micro at 14cm, the Mini at 18cm (known as the Constance 18 or C18), the standard Constance 24, and the Elan, which takes the same H clasp and applies it to a longer, rectangular silhouette. Each produces a different bag for a different context, but all four share the defining characteristic that no other bag in the Hermès collection has: that H.
Constance 18 (Mini)
The Constance 18 is 18cm wide. It carries daily essentials, a phone, wallet, keys and cards, on a 20-inch shoulder strap that sits comfortably crossbody for most wearers. Hermès updated the 18 in 2023 with a removable mirror on the front wall, a quiet upgrade that improves the daily utility of a bag already celebrated for practicality. In the current market, the Constance 18 in Epsom leather retails at Hermès boutiques for approximately AED 35,600 in 2026. Secondary market prices for pristine examples in desirable colours begin at approximately AED 60,000 and rise substantially for exotic leathers and limited editions.
Constance 24
The Constance 24 is 24cm wide with three interior compartments, a design that improves on the 18's capacity without compromising the flat, structured silhouette. It is the most versatile size for daily wear: large enough to function as a complete everyday bag while maintaining the proportions that make the Constance distinctive from across the room. The Constance 24 retails at approximately AED 51,400 in 2026. A Constance 24 in Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile sold at Sotheby's for the equivalent of approximately AED 367,000, confirming that exotic skin examples at the top of the market exist in a separate universe from the standard leather range.
Constance Elan
The Elan is the most architecturally distinct member of the Constance family. Where the 18 and 24 are square in proportion, the Elan is rectangular and horizontal, approximately 25cm wide and considerably flatter. It shares the H clasp and the adjustable shoulder strap but produces a completely different visual register. The Elan reads contemporary in a way that the 18 and 24 do not, which has built it a strong collector following among buyers who want the Constance's DNA in a more current silhouette.
The H Clasp: What Makes It Different
The Constance was the first bag in the Hermès collection to feature the H as a functional element rather than a decorative one. The closure works on a spring mechanism concealed within the horizontal bar of the H, which releases when both sides are pressed simultaneously. It is a mechanism that requires precise engineering to produce correctly and that counterfeits consistently fail to replicate with the same spring weight and release point as the original. Every Constance at Konesseur has its clasp mechanism tested as part of authentication, alongside the engraving depth and alignment of the hardware lettering.
Hermès produces the H clasp in gold, palladium, and enamel-filled hardware, and in exotic skin-inlaid versions on certain limited editions. Enamel-clasp examples and lizard-inlaid hardware are among the most collectible Constance variants and consistently command significant premiums on the secondary market.
Constance Leathers: Epsom, Swift, and Beyond
The two leathers that dominate the Constance are Epsom and Swift. Epsom is firmer and more structured, holds the bag's flat profile with more rigidity, and is highly resistant to scratching and water. It is the most practical Constance leather for daily use and the most consistent in secondary market performance. Swift is finer and softer, producing a more supple feel and developing a gentle patina with use. It requires more care than Epsom but produces a surface quality that collectors find particularly appealing.
Box Calf, the original Constance leather from 1959, remains the most formal and the most age-appropriate for vintage examples from the 1960s and 1970s. A Constance in vintage Box Calf with a developed patina is a different object from a current production Epsom example: it carries the visual evidence of its history, which is part of what collectors find compelling about Hermès' oldest leather.
Exotic skin Constance bags, particularly in Niloticus Crocodile, Shiny Alligator, and Ombre Lizard, represent the top of the secondary market. Hermès produces these in very small numbers, and pristine examples in classic colourways can achieve multiples of leather pricing at auction. Sotheby's has recorded $10 million in Constance sales since 2021, with exotic and limited edition examples accounting for a disproportionate share of value.
The Constance as an Investment
The Constance sits within what collectors call the "Big Three" of Hermès handbags alongside the Birkin and the Kelly. It is a quota bag at Hermès boutiques, meaning that in most markets clients cannot simply walk in and purchase one. This structural scarcity, combined with a design that has been in continuous production since 1959 without fundamental change, produces the investment conditions that define Hermès' strongest performers.
Secondary market performance for the Constance is nuanced compared to the Birkin and Kelly. For standard leather examples in common colourways, the Constance trades at or slightly above retail on the secondary market, without the consistent 2 to 2.5 times retail premium that pristine Birkins achieve. However, for exotic leathers, enamel or special hardware, limited editions, and vintage examples in exceptional condition, the Constance commands premiums that rival the Birkin and Kelly's strongest references. The investment case for the Constance is strongest in its rarest expressions.
Buying a Constance in Dubai
Dubai's zero import duty on leather goods and 5 percent VAT rate make it one of the most cost-effective markets in the world for Hermès acquisition. On a Constance 18 retailing at approximately AED 35,600, the saving against a UK purchase (where 20 percent VAT applies) is approximately AED 5,000. On a higher-value exotic skin example, the tax advantage scales proportionally.
At Konesseur, authenticated Constance bags are available for immediate purchase without boutique allocation requirements or spend history. Our authentication process is published in full. For clients looking at the full Hermès collection, the Constance sits alongside the Birkin, the Kelly, the HAC, and shoulder styles including the Roulis. For clients across the full range of luxury handbags in Dubai, the collection extends beyond Hermès to Louis Vuitton, Goyard, and Chanel. New Constance arrivals are listed in new arrivals as exceptional pieces enter the collection. To sell a Constance through Konesseur, visit our sell with us page or contact us directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a Hermès Constance bag in Dubai in 2026?
The Constance 18 in Epsom leather retails at approximately AED 35,600 at Hermès boutiques in 2026. The Constance 24 retails at approximately AED 51,400. Secondary market prices for pristine examples in desirable colours begin at approximately AED 60,000 for the Constance 18. Exotic leather and limited edition examples command significantly more. Dubai's zero import duty and 5 percent VAT make it one of the most cost-effective markets globally for Hermès.
What is the difference between the Constance 18 and Constance 24?
The Constance 18 is 18cm wide, carries daily essentials on a 20-inch crossbody strap, and is the more compact and fashion-forward option. The Constance 24 is 24cm wide with three interior compartments and is the more practical everyday choice. Both share the H clasp, leathers, hardware, and the full Hermès colour palette.
What is the Hermès Constance Elan?
The Elan is a rectangular, horizontal variant of the Constance at approximately 25cm wide. Its longer, flatter proportions produce a more contemporary profile than the square 18 and 24, while sharing the H clasp, adjustable strap, and Hermès leather and hardware range.
Is the Hermès Constance a good investment?
The Constance is one of Hermès' three iconic quota bags alongside the Birkin and Kelly. Standard leather examples trade broadly at or slightly above retail. Exotic leathers, limited editions, and vintage examples in exceptional condition can command strong premiums. Sotheby's has sold nearly $10 million in Constance pieces since 2021, with a Himalaya Crocodile 24 achieving approximately AED 367,000.
What is special about the Hermès H clasp?
The Constance was the first Hermès bag to use the H as a functional closure. The clasp operates on a spring mechanism concealed within the horizontal bar, releasing when both sides are pressed. The spring tension, release point, and engraving depth are specific to genuine Hermès production and are one of the primary authentication points for the bag.
Which leather is best for the Hermès Constance?
Epsom is the most practical and most consistent in secondary market performance: firm, structured, scratch-resistant, and low-maintenance. Swift produces a finer, softer surface that develops patina over time. Box Calf is the original 1959 leather, prized in vintage examples. Exotic leathers, particularly Niloticus Crocodile and Alligator, command the strongest secondary market premiums.
Is the Constance a quota bag like the Birkin and Kelly?
Yes. The Constance is a quota bag at Hermès boutiques in most markets, meaning access is subject to purchasing history and boutique relationships. At Konesseur, authenticated Constance bags are available for immediate purchase without allocation requirements.
Which Constance colours hold value best?
Classic neutrals: Black, Gold (Hermès' signature tan), Etoupe (warm grey-beige), and Craie (off-white) are the most consistently liquid and the most reliable for investment-focused buyers. Seasonal colours and limited edition hardware combinations can develop collector followings but are more specialist in their buyer pool.
What is the history of the Hermès Constance?
Designed in 1959 by Catherine Chaillet, who named it after her newborn daughter, the Constance was the first Hermès bag to feature the H as a functional clasp. Jacqueline Kennedy was photographed with it repeatedly through the 1960s, giving it cultural standing before the Birkin existed. It has been in continuous production for 66 years.
Can the Constance be worn crossbody?
Yes. This is one of the Constance's primary advantages over the Birkin and Kelly. The adjustable strap can be worn at full length crossbody or doubled for a shorter shoulder carry, making it the most hands-free option in the Hermès quota bag range.
How do I authenticate a Hermès Constance?
Authentication requires: blind stamp year and artisan code, H clasp spring tension and release point, hardware engraving depth and character alignment, stitching count per centimetre, leather grain under magnification, and interior lining condition. The H clasp mechanism is a primary authentication point that counterfeits consistently fail to replicate correctly. Every Constance at Konesseur has been verified across all these points. See our authentication process.
Can I sell my Hermès Constance through Konesseur?
Yes. We actively acquire Constance bags across all sizes and leathers, with particular interest in pristine examples with original dust bag and accessories. Visit our sell with us page or contact us directly.
Hermes Constance Bag
The Hermès Constance: Three Sizes, One Iconic Clasp
The Constance is currently available in four sizes: the Micro at 14cm, the Mini at 18cm (known as the Constance 18 or C18), the standard Constance 24, and the Elan, which takes the same H clasp and applies it to a longer, rectangular silhouette. Each produces a different bag for a different context, but all four share the defining characteristic that no other bag in the Hermès collection has: that H.
Constance 18 (Mini)
The Constance 18 is 18cm wide. It carries daily essentials, a phone, wallet, keys and cards, on a 20-inch shoulder strap that sits comfortably crossbody for most wearers. Hermès updated the 18 in 2023 with a removable mirror on the front wall, a quiet upgrade that improves the daily utility of a bag already celebrated for practicality. In the current market, the Constance 18 in Epsom leather retails at Hermès boutiques for approximately AED 35,600 in 2026. Secondary market prices for pristine examples in desirable colours begin at approximately AED 60,000 and rise substantially for exotic leathers and limited editions.
Constance 24
The Constance 24 is 24cm wide with three interior compartments, a design that improves on the 18's capacity without compromising the flat, structured silhouette. It is the most versatile size for daily wear: large enough to function as a complete everyday bag while maintaining the proportions that make the Constance distinctive from across the room. The Constance 24 retails at approximately AED 51,400 in 2026. A Constance 24 in Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile sold at Sotheby's for the equivalent of approximately AED 367,000, confirming that exotic skin examples at the top of the market exist in a separate universe from the standard leather range.
Constance Elan
The Elan is the most architecturally distinct member of the Constance family. Where the 18 and 24 are square in proportion, the Elan is rectangular and horizontal, approximately 25cm wide and considerably flatter. It shares the H clasp and the adjustable shoulder strap but produces a completely different visual register. The Elan reads contemporary in a way that the 18 and 24 do not, which has built it a strong collector following among buyers who want the Constance's DNA in a more current silhouette.
The H Clasp: What Makes It Different
The Constance was the first bag in the Hermès collection to feature the H as a functional element rather than a decorative one. The closure works on a spring mechanism concealed within the horizontal bar of the H, which releases when both sides are pressed simultaneously. It is a mechanism that requires precise engineering to produce correctly and that counterfeits consistently fail to replicate with the same spring weight and release point as the original. Every Constance at Konesseur has its clasp mechanism tested as part of authentication, alongside the engraving depth and alignment of the hardware lettering.
Hermès produces the H clasp in gold, palladium, and enamel-filled hardware, and in exotic skin-inlaid versions on certain limited editions. Enamel-clasp examples and lizard-inlaid hardware are among the most collectible Constance variants and consistently command significant premiums on the secondary market.
Constance Leathers: Epsom, Swift, and Beyond
The two leathers that dominate the Constance are Epsom and Swift. Epsom is firmer and more structured, holds the bag's flat profile with more rigidity, and is highly resistant to scratching and water. It is the most practical Constance leather for daily use and the most consistent in secondary market performance. Swift is finer and softer, producing a more supple feel and developing a gentle patina with use. It requires more care than Epsom but produces a surface quality that collectors find particularly appealing.
Box Calf, the original Constance leather from 1959, remains the most formal and the most age-appropriate for vintage examples from the 1960s and 1970s. A Constance in vintage Box Calf with a developed patina is a different object from a current production Epsom example: it carries the visual evidence of its history, which is part of what collectors find compelling about Hermès' oldest leather.
Exotic skin Constance bags, particularly in Niloticus Crocodile, Shiny Alligator, and Ombre Lizard, represent the top of the secondary market. Hermès produces these in very small numbers, and pristine examples in classic colourways can achieve multiples of leather pricing at auction. Sotheby's has recorded $10 million in Constance sales since 2021, with exotic and limited edition examples accounting for a disproportionate share of value.
The Constance as an Investment
The Constance sits within what collectors call the "Big Three" of Hermès handbags alongside the Birkin and the Kelly. It is a quota bag at Hermès boutiques, meaning that in most markets clients cannot simply walk in and purchase one. This structural scarcity, combined with a design that has been in continuous production since 1959 without fundamental change, produces the investment conditions that define Hermès' strongest performers.
Secondary market performance for the Constance is nuanced compared to the Birkin and Kelly. For standard leather examples in common colourways, the Constance trades at or slightly above retail on the secondary market, without the consistent 2 to 2.5 times retail premium that pristine Birkins achieve. However, for exotic leathers, enamel or special hardware, limited editions, and vintage examples in exceptional condition, the Constance commands premiums that rival the Birkin and Kelly's strongest references. The investment case for the Constance is strongest in its rarest expressions.
Buying a Constance in Dubai
Dubai's zero import duty on leather goods and 5 percent VAT rate make it one of the most cost-effective markets in the world for Hermès acquisition. On a Constance 18 retailing at approximately AED 35,600, the saving against a UK purchase (where 20 percent VAT applies) is approximately AED 5,000. On a higher-value exotic skin example, the tax advantage scales proportionally.
At Konesseur, authenticated Constance bags are available for immediate purchase without boutique allocation requirements or spend history. Our authentication process is published in full. For clients looking at the full Hermès collection, the Constance sits alongside the Birkin, the Kelly, the HAC, and shoulder styles including the Roulis. For clients across the full range of luxury handbags in Dubai, the collection extends beyond Hermès to Louis Vuitton, Goyard, and Chanel. New Constance arrivals are listed in new arrivals as exceptional pieces enter the collection. To sell a Constance through Konesseur, visit our sell with us page or contact us directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a Hermès Constance bag in Dubai in 2026?
The Constance 18 in Epsom leather retails at approximately AED 35,600 at Hermès boutiques in 2026. The Constance 24 retails at approximately AED 51,400. Secondary market prices for pristine examples in desirable colours begin at approximately AED 60,000 for the Constance 18. Exotic leather and limited edition examples command significantly more. Dubai's zero import duty and 5 percent VAT make it one of the most cost-effective markets globally for Hermès.
What is the difference between the Constance 18 and Constance 24?
The Constance 18 is 18cm wide, carries daily essentials on a 20-inch crossbody strap, and is the more compact and fashion-forward option. The Constance 24 is 24cm wide with three interior compartments and is the more practical everyday choice. Both share the H clasp, leathers, hardware, and the full Hermès colour palette.
What is the Hermès Constance Elan?
The Elan is a rectangular, horizontal variant of the Constance at approximately 25cm wide. Its longer, flatter proportions produce a more contemporary profile than the square 18 and 24, while sharing the H clasp, adjustable strap, and Hermès leather and hardware range.
Is the Hermès Constance a good investment?
The Constance is one of Hermès' three iconic quota bags alongside the Birkin and Kelly. Standard leather examples trade broadly at or slightly above retail. Exotic leathers, limited editions, and vintage examples in exceptional condition can command strong premiums. Sotheby's has sold nearly $10 million in Constance pieces since 2021, with a Himalaya Crocodile 24 achieving approximately AED 367,000.
What is special about the Hermès H clasp?
The Constance was the first Hermès bag to use the H as a functional closure. The clasp operates on a spring mechanism concealed within the horizontal bar, releasing when both sides are pressed. The spring tension, release point, and engraving depth are specific to genuine Hermès production and are one of the primary authentication points for the bag.
Which leather is best for the Hermès Constance?
Epsom is the most practical and most consistent in secondary market performance: firm, structured, scratch-resistant, and low-maintenance. Swift produces a finer, softer surface that develops patina over time. Box Calf is the original 1959 leather, prized in vintage examples. Exotic leathers, particularly Niloticus Crocodile and Alligator, command the strongest secondary market premiums.
Is the Constance a quota bag like the Birkin and Kelly?
Yes. The Constance is a quota bag at Hermès boutiques in most markets, meaning access is subject to purchasing history and boutique relationships. At Konesseur, authenticated Constance bags are available for immediate purchase without allocation requirements.
Which Constance colours hold value best?
Classic neutrals: Black, Gold (Hermès' signature tan), Etoupe (warm grey-beige), and Craie (off-white) are the most consistently liquid and the most reliable for investment-focused buyers. Seasonal colours and limited edition hardware combinations can develop collector followings but are more specialist in their buyer pool.
What is the history of the Hermès Constance?
Designed in 1959 by Catherine Chaillet, who named it after her newborn daughter, the Constance was the first Hermès bag to feature the H as a functional clasp. Jacqueline Kennedy was photographed with it repeatedly through the 1960s, giving it cultural standing before the Birkin existed. It has been in continuous production for 66 years.
Can the Constance be worn crossbody?
Yes. This is one of the Constance's primary advantages over the Birkin and Kelly. The adjustable strap can be worn at full length crossbody or doubled for a shorter shoulder carry, making it the most hands-free option in the Hermès quota bag range.
How do I authenticate a Hermès Constance?
Authentication requires: blind stamp year and artisan code, H clasp spring tension and release point, hardware engraving depth and character alignment, stitching count per centimetre, leather grain under magnification, and interior lining condition. The H clasp mechanism is a primary authentication point that counterfeits consistently fail to replicate correctly. Every Constance at Konesseur has been verified across all these points. See our authentication process.
Can I sell my Hermès Constance through Konesseur?
Yes. We actively acquire Constance bags across all sizes and leathers, with particular interest in pristine examples with original dust bag and accessories. Visit our sell with us page or contact us directly.