Since 2017, Van Cleef & Arpels has expressed the poetry of its universe through large-scale automata. Paying tribute to the wonders of the heavens, one of its cherished sources of inspiration, the Maison's 2025 Planétarium automaton depicts, in precious materials, the Sun and the planets as seen from Earth. Thanks to a complex mechanical movement developed and assembled at Van Cleef & Arpels' Watchmaking Workshops in Geneva, each celestial body moves at its actual speed of rotation. The Moon itself revolves around the Earth, animating the piece day after day.

Created amidst the 1940s Retro movement, the first two clips introduce the stylized interpretation of the bird. No longer bound to a specific species, their design evokes the creature’s essential form, movement or attitude. This abstraction is partly accomplished thanks to the broad surfaces of mirror-polished gold, a technique favored by Van Cleef & Arpels since the 1920s. 

The 1960s Bird clips exemplify the Maison’s stone expertise, audacious color combinations and yellow gold craftsmanship. Perched on a branch rather than portrayed in full flight, the inquisitive animals brim with vitality. On the 1963 clip, movement is captured through its sinuous tail and the arrangement of colored gems, while the 1968 clip features a plentiful plumage sculpted in gold, accentuating its alert and dynamic pose.

Finally, the 1992 Parrot clip exudes a distinctive 1990s aesthetic, defined by clean lines and interplays of materials. The layered feathers create a color-blocking effect, enhanced by the yellow gold bezel setting. This contrast with its paved diamond body instills further brilliance to the composition. 

Expressing the joyful nature of Van Cleef & Arpels in stylized forms, these pieces harmonize vibrant colors, graceful forms and balanced textures.