Cover Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels Jour Nuit watch
Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels Jour Nuit watch
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Van Cleef & Arpels reimagines its Lady Arpels Jour Nuit watch, transforming timekeeping into a celestial poetry of movement and light, where craftsmanship transcends mere technical precision
Van Cleef & Arpels continues to redefine the art of watchmaking through its singular vision of the “Poetry of Time”. At Watches and Wonders last year, the maison once again demonstrated its unparalleled ability to transform timepieces from mere instruments of measurement into exquisite narrative experiences that capture the imagination.
With its Poetic Complications collection, Van Cleef & Arpels elevates watchmaking beyond technical precision, creating intricate mechanical narratives that breathe life into each dial. As Nicolas Bos, then-president and CEO of the brand, explained, the brand uses techniques like “enameling, engraving, marquetry, and miniature painting” to render figurative scenes that transcend traditional horological boundaries.
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Above The night display on the Lady Jour Nuit features a diamond moon and diamond stars
Above The day display on the Lady Jour Nuit features a sun in guilloché yellow gold
The night display on the Lady Jour Nuit features a diamond moon and diamond stars
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The latest Lady Arpels Jour Nuit watches exemplify this philosophy. First introduced in 2008, the iconic Lady Arpels Jour Nuit watch has been released two elegant iterations: a 33 mm Lady Jour Nuit and a 38 mm Lady Arpels Jour Nuit. Both feature a mesmerising 24-hour rotating disc that gradually transforms the celestial scene, mimicking the delicate ballet of sun and moon. Each timepiece becomes a miniature canvas where time is not just measured, but experienced as a poetic journey.
This celestial ballet features a diamond-paved moon and stars in eternal pursuit of the sun, adorned with either snow-set yellow sapphires (on the Lady Arpels Jour Nuit) or guilloché yellow gold (on the Lady Jour Nuit). The cosmic spectacle unfolds against a backdrop of Murano aventurine glass, meticulously crafted to evoke the vastness of the universe. This deep blue, glittering canvas required a month-long cooling process before being delicately cut into thin layers, ensuring uniformity in both hue and sparkle.
In order to accommodate the diamond-set white-gold stars, the aventurine glass dials also feature intricate openwork achieved through a feat of technical design that pushes the boundaries of watchmaking. Framing this celestial display are mother-of-pearl shrouds symbolising the horizon. The Lady Arpels Jour Nuit features a white shroud, while the one on the Lady Jour Nuit is painted blue, both decorated with refined guilloché.
Above A fairy watches the night sky on the caseback of the watch
A fairy watches the night sky on the caseback of the watch
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Turn the watches over, and you’ll discover another enchanting detail. The sapphire crystal case back and oscillating weight are adorned with a polished, star-studded sky. Using the enamel decal technique, Van Cleef & Arpels’ artisans have created a scene featuring a protective fairy admiring the dance of the planets. This decorative element showcases the maison’s mastery of enamel work, with each sapphire crystal requiring between 30 and 36 coats of enamel. This laborious process demands precise control of temperature and firing time, with drying periods carefully calculated based on the enamels used and overall thickness.
In order to achieve the mesmerising effect on these Jour Nuit crystals, Van Cleef & Arpels pushed the boundaries of traditional techniques and developed two new approaches: the use of platinum for the fairy silhouette and a pointillism technique to create a vibrant colour gradient in the blue background.
Above A sun in snow-set yellow sapphires depicts daytime on the Lady Arpels Jour Nuit
Above Diamond-paved moon and stars depict nighttime on the Lady Arpels Jour Nuit
A sun in snow-set yellow sapphires depicts daytime on the Lady Arpels Jour Nuit
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These stunning Lady Jour Nuit and Lady Arpels Jour Nuit watches embody Van Cleef & Arpels’ unique approach to timekeeping. As the maison’s head of watchmaking research and development, Rainer Bernard, said, “métiers d’art tell a story on the dial, while the technical mechanism—always invisible—brings the watch to life, showing the time as if by magic.”
The Lady Jour Nuit watches are more than mere timekeepers; they are wearable works of art that capture the wonder of the cosmos and the passage of time. With their blend of traditional craftsmanship and innovative techniques, these timepieces offer a mesmerising glimpse into the celestial dance that governs our days and nights, all within the confines of a watch dial.
Credits
Images: Van Cleef & Arpels
Topics
Annabel Tan is the Editor of Watches and Jewellery at Tatler Singapore, where she covers all things luxury timepieces and fine jewellery across both print and digital platforms. She is also the Editor of Tatler GMT Singapore, a role that deepens her fascination with the ever-evolving world of watchmaking. Outside of work, she’s usually on the hunt for her next favourite watch that she can’t afford, planning her next beach getaway, or catching up on the latest Formula 1 race.
