WATCH & JEWELRY /
WATCH NEWS
November 19, 2015
Pursuing the World of Art Watches with New Craftsmanship | VAN CLEEF & ARPELS
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS
Pioneering Innovative Techniques with Feathers
Bringing Birds to Life on the Dial
As a world-leading jeweler with its flagship boutique on Place Vendôme in Paris, Van Cleef & Arpels pursues a poetic "world of time," distilling the artistry of both jewelry and watchmaking. Last year in Hong Kong, the Maison presented a model belonging to the "Poetic Astronomy" collection, which displays the frequency of shooting stars for the day. This year in Hong Kong, four models from the "Extraordinary Dials" collection were unveiled, showcasing the beauty of the dial through supreme craftsmanship. Among these, three timepieces utilizing miniature feather art—intricate artistry using bird feathers—are truly astonishing.Poetic AstronomyThe three timepieces among these, which utilize miniature feather art—intricate artistry using bird feathers—are truly astonishing.
Text by SHIBUYA Yasuhito
Recreating Birds on the Dial with Real Feathers
Birds are a universal theme in the world of high jewelry, and high jewelry pieces inspired by birds are not uncommon. Van Cleef & Arpels has also previously created works inspired by birds as symbols of "freedom" and "love." Furthermore, several watches incorporating real bird feathers as decoration have been released recently.
However, a wristwatch that realistically and three-dimensionally recreates the beautiful form of a bird on its dial using real bird feathers is likely a first for the Maison, and indeed for the watchmaking world.
The creation was undertaken by feather artist Nelly Saunier, whom the Maison invited. She meticulously selects feathers for their desired color and texture, cuts them precisely, combines them, shapes them, and arranges them on the dial. This is work requiring precision down to the tenth of a millimeter. Adding depth to these lifelike bird forms is the dial, crafted using marquetry with natural hard stones.
This, too, is one of the Maison's savoir-faire (artistic craftsmanship).
Oiseaux enchantés Extraordinaire dial
Lady Arpels Cardinal Carmin
A cardinal, with deep red feathers symbolizing the color of love, soars above mountains and valleys adorned with various stones such as jade, chrysoprase, and blood jasper.
Case | Yellow gold
Diameter | 38mm
Movement | Manual winding
Vibrations | 21,600 vibrations/hour
Water resistance | Daily life
Strap | Alligator
Scheduled release | Spring 2016
Limited edition | 22 pieces
Price | 12.1 million yen (excluding tax)
Oiseaux enchantés Extraordinaire dial
Lady Arpels Colibri Indigo
A blue hummingbird, symbolizing a positive outlook on life, hovers above flowers depicted in marquetry of lavender jade, lepidolite, and variscite, accented with diamonds.
Case | Pink gold
Diameter | 38mm
Movement | Manual winding
Vibrations | 21,600 vibrations/hour
Water resistance | Daily life
Strap | Alligator
Scheduled release | Spring 2016
Limited edition | 22 pieces
Price | 12.1 million yen (excluding tax)
Oiseaux enchantés Extraordinaire dial
Lady Arpels Martin Pêcheur Azure
A kingfisher, a symbol of happiness and fidelity in the realm of love, powerfully flaps its wings and flies over a sea depicted in turquoise and lapis lazuli.
Case | White gold
Diameter | 38mm
Movement | Manual winding
Vibrations | 21,600 vibrations/hour
Water resistance | Daily life
Strap | Alligator
Scheduled release | Spring 2016
Limited edition | 22 pieces
Price | 12.1 million yen (excluding tax)
Inquiries
Van Cleef & Arpels Desk
0120-10-1906
http://www.vancleefarpels.com