VAN CLEEF & ARPELS

In the world of high-class jewellery, they don't come much classier than Van Cleef & Arpels, a name which is synonymous with haute joallerie and an inimitable style that gives the brand its coveted status.

In 1896, Estelle Arpels married Alfred Van Cleef, and so began the story of Van Cleef & Arpels. Estelle was the daughter of a precious stone dealer and  Alfred was the son of a diamond merchant from Amsterdam.

In 1906, Alfred Van Cleef joined forces with his brother-in-law Charles Arpels to establish Van Cleef & Arpels at 22 Place Vendôme in Paris, which has been the company’s home for over a century.

Among the early creations of Van Cleef & Arpels are the Chatelaine, a jewel that is worn at the waist with a watch fastened to it, and the Minaudière, a small 'handbag' with a central clasp highlighted with single-cut diamonds, opening to reveal a mirror and compartments containing a mirrored make-up case, powder compact, lighter, lipstick and tortoiseshell comb.

Other early patented design were the Mystery Setting, truly a masterpiece of the jeweller’s craft, the Ludo bracelet, which had a central domed plaque, set with four rows of oval or round-cut sapphires or rubies, spaced by single or brilliant-cut diamonds, and the famous gold Cadenas (padlock) watch, which was sometimes adorned with diamonds, sapphires or rubies. As with the Ludo bracelet, the Cadenas watch was sometimes detachable, so that the bracelet could be worn on its own. Versatility was, and still is today, one of the hallmarks of the Van Cleef & Arpels brand.

Later in the 20th century, the Alhambra design was introduced. The Alhambra motif is the legendary quatrefoil Van Cleef & Arpels design which brings fortune and happiness to all who wear it. It became popular in the 1970s when it was less fashionable to wear ornate pieces. The answer to intricacy was this modern quatrefoil motif. The classic Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra motif has lent itself to a variety of designs in precious metals. Designs exist in white gold, yellow gold, platinum and precious gemstones.

Van Cleef & Arpels first made jewellery based on the design of a Zip for the Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Simpson, in the 1930’s. The latest version is the Diamond Zip, which is made of white gold accentuated with diamonds. The Diamond Zip can be worn as a necklace when opened and when closed can be worn as a bracelet.

Such is the unmistakable cachet of a Van Cleef & Arpels piece that the company has been much patronised by royalty, film stars, and wealthy socialites. Royal fans of Van Cleef & Arpels have included the Duchess of Windsor, Princess Grace of Monaco, and the Empress Farah. Marlene Dietrich, Romy Schneider, Catherine Deneuve, Sharon Stone, Scarlet Johanssen and Julia Roberts have all worn jewellery by Van Cleef & Arpels.

In recent years, many of the aforementioned designs have been revamped and updated , and the reputation of Van Cleef and Arpels as a benchmark for the finest expression of the jeweller's art remains unabated. In 2006 the house celebrated its centennial and created a timepiece of exception: the Lady Arpels Centenaire Watch, a white gold and diamond set wristwatch with a mother-of-pearl and enamel face.

Van Cleef & Arpels’ contemporary watch creations are the finest expression of a successful union of exceptional watch making and high fashion jewellery. Audaciously innovative and stylish, Van Cleef & Arpels watches feature classic forms enhanced with rare and original new features. By reinterpreting its own great classics, applying the jeweller’s art to watch cases and dials, and creating features that surprise and delight, Van Cleef & Arpels confirms its talent as a master jeweller in the world of fine watches.