Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels Papillon Watch
About the Item
- Creator:
- Movement:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Unknown
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Dallas, TX
- Reference Number:
Van Cleef & Arpels
One of the world’s foremost jewelry houses, Van Cleef & Arpels is particularly noted for a focus on technical virtuosity, craftsmanship and artistry, evident since its beginning. Rather than create earrings, bracelets, necklaces and other adornments primarily for the aim of displaying of wealth and opulence, Van Cleef & Arpels sought to produce jewelry that projected the wearer’s taste and style.
The company was formed a year after the 1895 marriage of Alfred Van Cleef, the son of a gem cutter, to Estelle Arpels, daughter of precious-stones dealer Salomon Arpel. Ten years later, Van Cleef & Arpels opened its first boutique on the Place Vendôme in Paris, setting the march on a square now crowded with dealers in bijouterie. (The company still occupies the New York flagship store opened in 1939 at Fifth Avenue and 57th Street.)
Born from a union of expertise in both jewelry making and gem selection, Van Cleef & Arpels distinguished itself with both the consistency of the color and clarity of its stones and the creativity of its designs. In doing so, the house would win a roster of dedicated, fashion-conscious clients that included the Duchess of Windsor, Marlene Dietrich, Barbara Hutton, Jacqueline Onassis and Elizabeth Taylor. In 1933, Van Cleef & Arpels patented its trademark Mystery Setting — a technique by which gems are fitted into an intricate matrix of slots and “drawers” that keep the setting hidden. Another signal innovation was the Zip necklace, introduced in 1951, which can be worn either around the neck or, with the zipper closed, as a bracelet.
But as much as to the firm’s craftsmanship, clients have been drawn by the insouciance and playfulness of Van Cleef & Arpels designers, as well as their attunement to the cultural climate. After the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922, the company produced several lavish pieces featuring hieroglyphics and other Egyptian motifs to go along with the geometric Art Deco jewelry of that decade and the next. Following World War II, as symbols of freedom and rebirth, the firm focused on naturalistic forms such as birds, flowers, fruit and flying insects. High society’s 1960s fascination with the Near East and India prompted such pieces as the best-selling Alhambra necklace, popularized by Princess Grace.
Lately, attention among collectors and connoisseurs has centered on Van Cleef & Arpels’s quality of workmanship as much as its glamour. The firm was the subject of a 2012 show at the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, as well as exhibitions at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California, in 2013 and at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris in 2014.
Find an exquisite collection of Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Dallas, TX
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Van Cleef & Arpels Classique Paris Ladies Watch 18901B1By Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Dallas, TXVan Cleef & Arpels Classique Paris Ladies Watch 18901B1 - Quartz. 18K Yellow gold with diamond bezel ( 20mm ). White dial with black numerals. 18K Yellow gold diamond bracelet with d...Category
20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches
- Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow Gold Classique Diamond Ladies WatchBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Dallas, TXVan Cleef & Arpels Yellow Gold Classique Diamond Ladies Watch - Automatic. 18K yellow gold with three row pave set diamond bezel ( 36 mm). White dial with stick hour markers and Roma...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Wrist Watches
MaterialsYellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Charms 18K Rose Gold Diamond Watch VCARM95000By Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Dallas, TXVan Cleef & Arpels Charms 18K Rose Gold Diamond Watch VCARM95000 - Quartz. 18K Rose gold case ( 32 mm ) with two rows of diamonds; small Alhambra charm with diamonds on the side. Gui...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Wrist Watches
- Rolex Lady Datejust Stainless Steel Ladies Watch 179174By RolexLocated in Dallas, TXRolex Lady Datejust Stainless Steel Ladies Watch 179174 - Automatic winding; 31 jewel; sapphire crystal. Stainless steel case with 18k white gold f...Category
20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches
- E. Howard Watch Co. 18k Yellow Gold Pocket WatchBy E. Howard & Co.Located in Dallas, TXE. Howard Watch Co. 18K Yellow Gold Pocket Watch - Manual winding; 23 jewels . 18K Yellow Gold ( 49 mm ) with an initial crest engraved in the back . White d...Category
20th Century American Wrist Watches
- Vintage Mathy Tissot Men's WatchLocated in Dallas, TXVintage Mathy Tissot Men's Watch - Manual . 14K Yellow Gold ( 21 x 39 mm ) . Silver dial with Arabic numbers at 12, 3, and 9 o'clock . Brown buffalo s...Category
20th Century Wrist Watches
- Van Cleef & Arpels Ladies Wristwatch, Lady Arpels Papillon, 18K Gold, ButterflyBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Berlin, DEVan Cleef & Arpels Ladies Wristwatch, Lady Arpels Papillon, 18K Gold, MOP (Mother of Pearl) Dial and Diamonds. Strap and 18K gold clasp also original VCA. Strap with signs of wear. ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Pierre Arpels Lady’s Wrist WatchBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Guaynabo, PRThis is a Van Cleef & Arpels Pierre Arpels Lady’s Wrist Watch. It depicts an 18K/750 gold round case with gold color dial that has Roman numerals and black color hour/minute hands. A...Category
20th Century Swiss Contemporary Wrist Watches
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Pierre Arpels Lady’s Wrist WatchBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Guaynabo, PRThis is a Van Cleef & Arpels Pierre Arpels Lady’s Wrist Watch. It depicts an 18K/750 gold round case with coral color dial that has Roman numerals and gold tone hour/minute hands. A ...Category
20th Century Swiss Contemporary Wrist Watches
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef and Arpels Lady Arpels Féerie Rouge WatchBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in West Palm Beach, FL18K White Gold Diamond: 182 stones, 3.06 carats A truly protective muse, the fairy watches over the passage of time. With her magic wand, she draws the h...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond
- Van Cleef and Arpels Steel Gold Lady Pierre Arpels Collection WatchBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in PARIS, FRVan Cleef & Arpels watch, Pierre Arpels model in steel and 18-carat yellow gold, gray dial with Roman indexes, quartz movement, steel and yellow gold brac...Category
1990s French Wrist Watches
MaterialsGold, Steel
- Van Cleef & Arpels Gold Diamond Lady's WristwatchBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVan Cleef & Arpels 18 karat yellow gold wristwatch featuring approximately 5 carats of diamonds. The dial is made out of round cut diamonds. The case's width is 2 cm. The links on th...Category
Vintage 1980s Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Gems by David Webb, Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels Anchor The Back Vault’s Treasure Trove
Boasting one of the largest collections of David Webb in the world, the firm offers exceptional jewels — always in demand yet never in short supply.
This Turquoise Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Necklace Is a Rare and Alluring Find
You know the French maison’s famous motif well. But why is this particular piece so in demand?