At the GPHG 2013

Image
At the GPHG 2013 - Van Cleef & Arpels
The poetic figurines of a ballerina and a butterfly are taking part in the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève.

The two watches that Van Cleef & Arpels had submitted to the GPHG have been retained by the jury and gone through the pre-selections. Thus, Lady Arpels Papillon Extraordinaire and Lady Arpels Ballerine Enchantée Poetic Complication are taking part in the final competition in their category - Ladies' Complications Watch  and Artistic Crafts Watch.

Net surfers can take part in the Prix du Public by voting for their favourite watches. To vote for Van Cleef & Arpels, click here.

Lady Arpels Papillon Extraordinaire

Spread across a flower’s corolla, the gradation of hues – dominated by blue and pink – evokes the springtime awakening of nature and the renewed vitality of flora and fauna.
This piece combines hard stone marquetry for the sections in lapis lazuli, sculpture on gold and mother-of-pearl for the background and the outline of the butterfly, plique-à-jour enameling for the color of the wings and diamond setting. The blend of different techniques contributes depth and relief to this three-dimensional composition.

Van-Cleef-Arpels-Cadrans-Extraordinaires-Lady-Arpels-Papillon
The 38mm case is made of white gold; the bezel is set with diamonds.
The watch is animated by a hand-wound mechanical movement.

Lady Arpels Ballerine Enchantée Poetic Complication

Half-dancer, half-butterfly, the ballerina perpetuates the tradition of ballerinas and fairies dating from the 1940s, to which the Van Cleef & Arpels is so attached.

A true miniature figurine, the golden ballerina is sculpted in relief and set with diamonds. The layered veils of her tutu is light and transparent. While an inner corolla of champlevé enamel clothes the dancer, the outer veils – like a pair of openwork wings – come to life to display the time. This tableau stands out against a guilloché background, also featuring translucent and champlevé enamel, and sculpted gold.

VAN-CLEEF-ARPELS_Complication-Poetique-Lady-Arpels-Ballerine-Enchantee
The watch is animated by a double retrograde movement with time on demand. When the user presses a button at the 8 o’clock position, the ballerina’s tutu comes to life. The veil indicating the hours rises first, followed by the second veil which positions itself against the minute scale. They remain in place, enabling the time to be read, then return simultaneously to their initial positions.

The 38mm case is made of white gold; the bezel is set with diamonds.

Featured brand
Nicolas Bos