Recalling the outline of a belt, a fashion accessory popular at that time, this piece stands out for its flexible mesh and its buckle set with precious stones. Inspired by this bracelet, the first Ludo secret watches were created in 1935.
This year, Van Cleef & Arpels unveils a fresh aesthetic in guilloché yellow gold. This motif draws inspiration from a time-honored technique employed by the Maison since the 1910s on accessories, precious objects, jewelry, and timepieces. A skill passed down through the crafts of goldsmithing and tableware, guillochage consists of engraving delicate parallel lines on precious metal, stone, or mother-of-pearl. In this rendition, the lines emanate like a sunburst, creating a nuanced interplay of light that shifts with the motions of the day.
In its two rose gold variations, the Ludo secret watch reveals a setting of pink sapphires or diamonds that gradually expand in diameter as they radiate from the center. To craft these settings, the Maison’s gemologists have drawn on their expertise to assemble a set of gemstones whose equal brilliance and intensity resonate in perfect harmony. As with the original creation, the supple brick-link mesh of the bracelet calls to mind a belt. Like finely woven fabric, the links are carefully assembled by hand, one by one, for optimal articulation and flexibility. In keeping with the illustrious tradition of Van Cleef & Arpels secret watches, simultaneous pressure on the two gem-set motifs opens the flap to reveal the guilloché white mother-of- pearl dial.
