Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels Brise d’Été: Celebrating Nature

Every detail of the Brise d’Été pays tribute to Van Cleef & Arpels’ enduring inspiration: nature. The 38mm rhodium-plated white gold case glimmers with 120 diamonds, totalling 3.45 carats and forming a frame for a mesmerising mother-of-pearl dial. The latter is also a canvas. Miniature enamel paintings bring azure corollas to life, their spessartite pistils catching the light like morning dew. Surrounding them leaves crafted in champlevé enamel and tsavorite garnets create a lush, verdant backdrop.

Adding to the magic, golden butterflies with translucent plique-à-jour enamel wings flit across the dial, driven by an animation module that lets them take flight at the wearer’s command. This poetic marvel of engineering is powered by a self-winding mechanical movement with a 36-hour power reserve.

Van Cleef & Arpels is renowned for its meticulous attention to detail, and the Lady Arpels Brise d’Été exemplifies this. Techniques like vallonné enamel, sculptural miniature painting, and curved plique-à-jour enamel require countless hours of skilled labour and give the dial its unparalleled depth and vibrancy.

The white gold case is complemented by an interchangeable shiny green alligator strap, perfect for capturing the vibrancy of summer. A second strap, chosen at purchase, adds versatility to this already stunning piece. With only a numbered edition available, it’s a collector’s dream, blending artistry, craftsmanship, and the innovation of horology.

For those who see their accessories as an extension of their personality, this watch offers a canvas of creativity, celebrating the wearer’s love for nature and beauty. And, as with every Van Cleef & Arpels creation, it promises to become a cherished heirloom, as timeless as the summer mornings it celebrates.