I do like Van Cleef & Arpels ‘whimsical’ pieces. Of course I’m far too manly to wear one (*cough*) but that doesn’t mean my inner feminine side can’t appreciate them :-)

[Press Release] Their wishes may have met. What did they say to each other? That is up to our imagination…

This is the magic of Van Cleef & Arpels’ Poetry of TimeTM: creating watches that are full of emotion, that tell a story and invite us into a dreamlike world.

They also offer the chance for the wearer or the giver of these remarkable timepieces to listen to his or her heart’s desire and make a wish, no matter how secret.

Lady Arpels Poetic Wish watch

The Eiffel Tower is in white gold. It is outlined on the dial to depict Paris seen from the sky. A changing sky, which those who love the City of Lights know well.

Mother-of-pearl clouds cast their shadow on the Seine’s waters, represented by delicate miniature painting.

At the centre of the dial are the towers of Notre-Dame Cathedral, another symbol of the French capital. And that is precisely where the young girl, who is standing on the ! rst ” oor terrace of the Eiffel Tower, is looking.

The scene becomes animated on demand; the girl steps to the centre of the dial to the rhythm of the Notre-Dame’s bells, sending a wish to the cathedral in the distance. Is someone waiting for her there?

A kite appears, in time to carry the wish to the île de la Cité; it advances minute by minute, note by note.

The watch case is in white gold set with diamonds of D E F colour and VVS clarity, in keeping with the great jewellery tradition of the Maison Van Cleef & Arpels.

The bracelet is made of two materials: a pearl grey moiré silk and calfskin leather.

Midnight Poetic Wish watch

A young man is standing at the top of the towers of Notre-Dame Cathedral. It is dusk and the last rays of sunshine light up the stained-glass windows of the cathedral. The young man slowly steps out onto the terrace of the tower to the rhythm of Notre-Dame’s ringing bells.

The scene is animated on demand and a diamond shooting star appears. The star is the messenger of the young man’s wish, carrying it towards the Eiffel Tower, minute by minute, note by note.

The watch case is in white gold. The bracelet is made of two materials: alligator “clair de lune” skin and calf suede.

Each of these precious timepieces has required hundreds of hours of work to complete. On their dials, the technical prowess of the master watchmakers is enhanced by the virtuosity of the artistic craftsmanship: the sculptors, painters and jewellers.

A Precious Box

Each Poetic Wish timepiece is presented in its own extraordinary cabinet made of precious woods and mother-of-pearl inlay.

The boxes tell the story of the Poetic Wish and, when they are put together, the young lovers are re-united.

The cabinet’s interiors have been conceived following the tradition of stringed- instrument makers so as to enhance the sound of the Poetic ComplicationsTM.

The watch, placed in its customised box, becomes a collector’s piece.