The Lady Arpels Papillon Extraordinaire timepiece

A limitless source of inspiration, butterflies – symbolizing the eternal renewal of a poetic and ethereal nature – have often fuelled the Maison’s imagination. In the 20s, these winged creatures were transformed into precious clips and earrings; later, they were adorned with Mystery Set™, mother-of-pearl and lacquered wood.

In 2010, Van Cleef & Arpels went butterfly hunting with a High Jewelry collection entirely based around this theme. Within the Maison, they have also contributed to watchmaking creations like the Lady Arpels Butterfly Symphony and the Lady Arpels™ Papillon Extraordinaire timepieces.

With the Lady Arpels™ Papillon Extraordinaire watch, the Maison revisits one of its emblematic motifs using a new palette of shimmering colors. Spread across a flower’s corolla, the gradation of hues – dominated by blue and mauve – evokes the springtime awakening of nature and the renewed vitality of flora and fauna.

A true distillation of savoir-faire, this piece elegantly 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 harmonious blend of different techniques contributes depth and relief to this three-dimensional composition.