Van Cleef & Arpels has unveiled a new collection of timepieces that bring celestial themes and legendary romance to life on the wrist. The “Poetry of the Heavens” series expands the maison’s celebrated “Poetry of Time” universe, incorporating the beauty of the moon, stars, and ancient love stories into wearable art.
Celestial Inspiration and Mythology
The collection’s standout pieces draw from the ancient Chinese legend of Niulang and Zhinu, the lovers reimagined as the stars Altair and Vega in the constellations. These tales, over 2,600 years old, tell of a pair separated by the Milky Way who reunite once annually. Van Cleef & Arpels has transformed this folklore into detailed watch designs.
Their white-gold silhouettes emerge from clouds adorned with diamonds and plique-à-jour enamel. Rose-cut diamonds subtly define their features, while a moon crafted entirely of diamonds illuminates a star-filled sky. Rich blue hues evoke serenity and longing, enhancing the emotional resonance of the scene.
Champlevé enamel creates a dreamlike backdrop where the couple faces each other across a bridge formed by sculpted white-gold birds. A crescent moon accented with mauve sapphires adds a romantic touch.
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Animated Lunar Displays and Dual Time Zones
The Midnight Jour Nuit Phase de Lune showcases the brand’s fascination with the moon. This watch combines two complications: one tracking the sun and moon’s daily journey, and another displaying the lunar phase with precision. The dial, made from black Murano aventurine glass, mimics an infinite night sky scattered with stars. A golden guilloché sun transitions to a luminous moon of white mother-of-pearl, reflecting the natural cycle of day and night.
Another highlight is the Midnight Heure d’ici & Heure d’ailleurs, designed for travelers. It displays two time zones in a 38mm rose-gold case with polished and satin finishes. The embossed enamel dial adds texture, while a redeveloped automatic movement provides a 65-hour power reserve. The jumping-hour display and retrograde minutes create a rhythmic visual as time advances.
The Ludo Secret watch also receives a celestial reinterpretation. Inspired by the 1949 design, it features mirror-polished yellow-gold links and sapphires that contrast with the warm glow of the metal. A concealed guilloché mother-of-pearl dial, activated by a discreet mechanism, preserves the watch’s mysterious allure.
Animated Celestial Artistry
The Midnight Jour Nuit Phase de Lune reveals its true spectacle when activated. A dedicated mechanism triggers an animated sequence that brings the night sky to life on the dial. The celestial scene rotates, dynamically unveiling the moon encircled by a brilliant constellation of stars. This movement transforms the timepiece from a static display into a living representation of cosmic wonder. The effect demonstrates Van Cleef & Arpels’ commitment to storytelling through mechanical artistry, creating moments of enchantment with each interaction.
Global Timekeeping with Poetic Precision
The Midnight Heure d’ici & Heure d’ailleurs addresses the realities of modern global connectivity. Its dual time zone display acknowledges that contemporary life often spans multiple geographical regions. The 38mm rose-gold case houses a redeveloped automatic movement engineered for both reliability and aesthetic appeal. The jumping-hour and retrograde minute complications create distinctive visual rhythms that mark the passage of time with mechanical poetry rather than mere functionality.
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The 65-hour power reserve ensures the watch maintains its performance across extended periods without winding. This substantial energy reserve reflects the brand’s attention to practical wearability alongside its artistic ambitions. The embossed enamel dial adds tactile dimension to the time display, while the polished and satin finishes on the case create subtle play of light. The watch balances the needs of frequent travelers with the refined aesthetics expected from the maison, proving that utility and beauty can coexist harmoniously.
White-Gold Celestial Model in Perlée Collection
The Perlée collection receives a celestial interpretation through a new white-gold model combining jewelry inspiration with refined watchmaking.
The watch features a double row of golden beads framing a deep-blue aventurine dial designed to evoke the cosmos. Diamonds set around the case and flange enhance light reflections, creating an ever-changing display.
An interchangeable alligator strap offers versatility, while the understated design keeps the dial as the focal point. Simplicity when executed at the highest level proves as captivating as elaborate complications.
