Van Cleef & Arpels introduced the term “poetic complication” years ago to define its unique approach to haute horlogerie—one that prioritises emotion and artistry alongside traditional mechanical precision to create timepieces that tell stories, evoke wonder, and transform technical mastery into enchanting motion.
This concept has been beautifully realised in various creations over the years. Now, it takes centre stage once again in the Lady Arpels Brise d’Été, a watch that is said to “celebrate the freshness of a summer morning” in a symphony of motion, colour, and light.
Translating to “summer breeze” in French, the Brise d’Été discreetly tells time while inviting its wearer into a whimsical tableau of nature. The dial, a luminous mother-of-pearl canvas, is brought to life with a masterful interplay of miniature enamelling techniques. Transparent plique-à-jour enamel forms the airy wings of butterflies and the glassy green blades of grass, while champlevé enamel lends depth to intricate leaves.
Vallonné enamel, a painterly technique dating back to the 17th century, is used to craft the delicate petals, their colours layered and fired with meticulous precision. Spessartite garnets glow at the heart of each flower, while tsavorites twinkle across the verdant foliage. Even the hour markers are set with diamonds, catching the light like dewdrops at dawn.
It is this level of artistry and detail that earned the Lady Arpels Brise d’Été its Ladies’ Complication Watch win at the esteemed Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève 2024, solidifying its status as a masterpiece of both watchmaking and storytelling.
The timepiece is an exceptional dreamscape with its intricate craftsmanship and mesmerising animation—one that invites its viewer to pause, watch, and lose ourselves in the magic of time beautifully told.
PHOTOGRAPHY JAYA KHIDIR
ART DIRECTION MARISA XIN
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