The original Pierre Arpels luxury watch was created in 1949 and is a legend of the very best along with a symbol of elegance. While the lines have remained the same in celebration of the SIHH 2012, Van Cleef and Arpels have presented a modern interpretation of this stunning luxury watch.

Pierre Arpels is a strong part of the Maisons watchmaking heritage and each luxury watch designed by the brand name tells a story. The Pierre Arpels luxury watch tells the story of Pierre himself. In 1949 he created a timepiece that he had always dreamed of at the age of 30 years old. Following the years of World War II Pierre was no longer carefree and the design of the timepiece was his way of going directly to the essence of things, it became a symbol of this outlook on life.

The luxury watch he imagined was a perfect circle. A perfect line of the very best with no end and no beginning. The circle of course is represented in Feng Shui philosophy as heaven of the spirit along with being associated with well-being and spiritual peace. Pierre designed the luxury watch without the lateral attachments that generally hold the watch case to the bracelet. It gives the impression that the dial is suspended in space. The only attachment was cleverly designed and very thin, thin enough so that it almost disappears. The top and bottom of the luxury timepiece were designed to give the impression of the central axis of the Earth which crosses the core of the planet and runs from one pole to the other.

Just like the original design of the first luxury watch and 60 years after its creation, the design has become a timekeeping icon of the very best which led Van Cleef and Arpels to redesign it in celebration of the original and the spirit of its creator.

The hours on the luxury watch are represented by Roman numerals which are in keeping with the classic watchmaking tradition and stand out elegantly while at the same time being simple. The dial remains in white lacquer, however the center is now adorned with the motif which depicts the Van Cleef and Arpels hallmark along with the honeycomb pattern of a black tie shirtfront. The profile is slightly beveled and the rounded attachment which is found at the top and bottom is present. The bracelet of the luxury watch has been designed in patent black alligator skin just as Pierre Arpels required. This has been glued rather than stitched so as to do away with any visible stitching.

Editorial | Image Courtesy Of Van Cleef And Arpels