13 Feb 2022

An Exhibition of Van Cleef & Arpels Artistry

This February, Van Cleef & Arpels will be celebrating some of its emblematic sources of inspiration at a watchmaking exhibition open to the general public in Singapore. A journey through the Poetry of Time will run from February 12 to 20 at Sand Expo Hall B of the Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. Attendance is by reservation.

Pieces from the Maison’s patrimonial collection and contemporary creations will be revealed in an immersive environment that recreates the charm of Paris. Alongside the Jewelry and High Jewelry collections, Van Cleef & Arpels’ watches take centre stage in four of its cherished universes, namely, Love Stories – notably with the Pont des Amoureux collection, Fairies and Ballerinas, Poetic Astronomy and Enchanting Nature. Each creation relates an instant of grace and enchantment, expressing the Poetry of Time unique to the Maison.

Ever faithful to a poetic view of life, Van Cleef & Arpels instils a distinctive dimension into the art of watchmaking, that of dreams and emotions. A blend of inventiveness and fantasy, its creations interpret the measurement of time as an invitation to imagine, wander and revel in happiness.

The Maison draws from its history and emblematic sources of inspiration to depict the poetry of each instant. New tales of love and luck join pieces evoking Van Cleef & Arpels’ heritage. Fairies and ballerinas tick away the hours, while the rhythm of nature meets that of the cosmos. In line with the various watch collections, each timepiece relates a moment of grace and enchantment.

Love Stories

Born out of the marriage of Alfred Van Cleef and Estelle Arpels, the Maison has been celebrating love stories since its earliest creations. Like a sign of destiny, the first piece listed in the sales book in 1906 was a heart set with diamonds. Today, this founding theme continues to suffuse the Maison’s creations with poetry and enchantment.

Fairies and Ballerinas

These symbols of joy and hope form an emblematic Van Cleef & Arpels tradition. Born out of Louis Arpels’ passion for the world of dance, the first dancer clips soon won over collectors with their elegant poses and beautiful costumes. Created during the same period, the fairy clips are recognisable for their ethereal winged silhouettes, sometimes complemented by a magic wand. Today, these feminine figures also adorn the Maison’s watches

Poetic Astronomy

After finding an echo in jewellery and high jewellery pieces, the theme of the cosmos has been extended to watchmaking. From the starry night to the constellations of the Zodiac, the trajectories of the Sun and Moon and the ballet of the planets, the timepieces combine the poetry of the celestial bodies and the measurement of time to evoke a unique emotion with every second.

Enchanting Nature

Nature breathes poetry and vitality into Van Cleef & Arpels creations. Enthralled by the constant metamorphoses of fauna and flora, the Maison transcribes spring in full bloom, the luxuriance of gardens or the beating of a butterfly’s wings.