Meteor secret wristwatch, 1959. Yellow gold, platinum, diamonds. Van Cleef & Arpels Collection.

Inspirations

Astronomy: the spectacle of the stars according

to Van Cleef & Arpels

Throughout its history, Van Cleef & Arpels has transcribed its wonder at the spectacle of the heavens. The archives thus mention a crescent moon set with precious stones and produced in 1906, the year of the Maison's founding, followed by a star brooch adorned with pearls and diamonds. Inspired by the poetry of the stars, the Maison has since created a galaxy of creations, mainly in yellow gold and set with stones, such as the Spiral clip (1942), the Meteor secret watch (1959), and the Sun pendant-clip (1973).

Spiral clip, 1942

Yellow gold, platinum, rose gold, rubies, diamonds

Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

Meteor secret wristwatch, 1959

Yellow gold, platinum, diamonds

Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

Asterisk clip, 1966

Yellow gold, platinum, white gold, rose gold, sapphire, diamonds

Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

Moon pendant, 1969

Yellow gold, ruby

Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

Sun pendant-clip, circa 1973

Yellow gold, white gold, citrines, diamonds

Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

Aries Zodiac pendant, 1973

Yellow gold, emerald, malachite, diamond

Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

From the 1950s onwards, the constellations of the zodiac also became a recurring theme, one that continues to be reinterpreted today. Zodiac signs adorn gold medallions, charms, and even cufflinks. In the 1970s, these creations became more sculptural and incorporated wood, diamonds, or ornamental stones. This poetic interpretation, combining figurative motifs with the symbols associated with each sign, lives on in the Zodiaque jewelry collection, launched in 2021.

In watchmaking, Van Cleef & Arpels has linked the passage of time to the rhythm of the cosmos for nearly a century. Today, the theme of Poetic Astronomy today expresses the Maison's distinctive vision of time through watches and automatons.

Lady Jour Nuit watch

Poetic Complications® collection

The Lady Jour Nuit creation depicts the cycle of the Sun and the Moon, while the Midnight Planétarium watch recreates the ballet of the planets. Mechanical expertise is paired with artistic crafts and jewelry savoir-faire to evoke a sense of depth and escapism.