The Lady Arpels Brise d’Été watch by Van Cleef & Arpels is an example of how poetic beauty that can be achieved when art and mechanism converge
The art of horology is at its best in Van Cleef & Arpels’ Lady Arpels Brise d’Été watch, a piece that combines technical prowess and artistic vision. It’s a tribute to the intricate dance between nature and artisanship, a theme that has been central to Van Cleef & Arpels since the beginning. Significantly, the maison continues to weave romantic narratives around spring and summer—seasons known for their vivid transformation and vibrant energy. Achieving this with renewed creativity each year is no small feat, yet Van Cleef & Arpels consistently excels, coming up with innovative designs that echo the seasons.
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The 38-mm case of the Lady Arpels Brise d’Été is made of white gold, its surface adorned with diamonds that shine as bright as dew on a summer morning. However, it is the dial where the watch truly becomes a canvas for the renowned artistic expression of Van Cleef & Arpels.
It’s an intricate composition of mother-of-pearl, tsavorite and spessartite garnets, each chosen for their vivid colours and depth. These materials are enhanced by an array of enamelling techniques including plique-à-jour, champlevé and vallonné, each contributing to a layered, textured visual experience.
The miniature painting on the dial is particularly noteworthy. This technique, requiring the steadiness of hand and the eye of a master artist, brings to life a verdant scenery. The butterflies and flowers are not mere static images; they are dynamic elements that move gracefully, animated by an advanced automaton module. This feature allows the butterflies to flutter and the flowers to bloom on demand.