Van Cleef and Arpels Steel Gold Lady Pierre Arpels Collection Watch
About the Item
- Creator:
- Case Material:
- Strap Material:Stainless Steel
- Case Shape:Round
- Movement:
- Case Dimensions:Height: 0.95 in (24 mm)Width: 0.95 in (24 mm)Diameter: 0.95 in (24 mm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Circa 1990
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:PARIS, FR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3632222436442
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, the 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: PARIS, France
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Cartier Tank Must GM Golden Black PreciousBy CartierLocated in PARIS, FRCartier Must model Tank watch in vermeil (gold-plated 925/1000 silver), black background, mechanical movement (manual winding), black exotic leather strap and original Cartier gold-p...Category
1990s French Wrist Watches
MaterialsSilver, Stainless Steel, Gold Plate
- Poiray Ma Premiere Steel Gold watch new strapBy PoirayLocated in PARIS, FRPoiray watch, Ma Première model, in steel and yellow gold, quartz mechanism, silver background with braided pattern, interchangeable leather strap in purp...Category
Early 2000s French Wrist Watches
Materials18k Gold, Steel
- Hermès Medor Collier de Chien Watch Braise leather strapBy HermèsLocated in PARIS, FRHermès model Médor watch, steel and gold-plated metal case, white dial, gold-plated metal stud indexes at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock, quartz movement, coral red leather strap (Hermès "Br...Category
Early 2000s French Wrist Watches
MaterialsGilt Metal, Steel
- Hermès Bracelet Cuff Medor Collier de chien Leather blueBy HermèsLocated in PARIS, FRHermès Médor model bracelet in lustrous oil-colored lizard adorned with a diamond-point stud in gold metal, fitted to the wrist with a saddle nail-style snap closure. Length 17.2 cm,...Category
1990s French Cuff Bracelets
- FW2021 Chanel Inrregular Fancy diamonds and Pearls BroochBy ChanelLocated in PARIS, FRChanel brooch from the AW2021 collection in gold metal with the CC logo motif inlaid with fancy pearls and white rhinestones of different shapes and sizes. Width 4.35 cm x height 3.3...Category
2010s French Brooches
- Haute Couture golden CC medallionBy ChanelLocated in PARIS, FRChanel Haute Couture necklace in gold metal composed of a twisted mesh chain and a large medallion shaped with the motif of the CC logo. ...Category
Vintage 1980s French Chain Necklaces
- 18 Carat White Gold Longines Watch Round DiamondBy LonginesLocated in Palermo, IT18kt White Gold Longines with Round Diamond. 17,5 cm gr 33,60Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, White Gold
- Hermes Arceau L’Heure De La Lune Only Watch Limited EditionBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLLose yourself in space and time with this magical creation. Mightychic offers an exquisite Hermes Limited Edition Arceau L’Heure De La Lune Only double moon phase complication watch....Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Wrist Watches
- Hermes Watch Nantucket Rose Gold 18k Small ModelBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers an Hermes Nantucket Small Model watch featured in 18k Rose Gold. This beautiful watch is the 29 mm small model with Rose Gold bracelet. White Mother of Pearl dial w...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Rose Gold
- Hermes Watch Arceau Petite Lune Large Model 38 mm Moon Phase Sapphires DiamondsBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers an Hermes Arceau Petite Lune Watch featured in the 38 mm large model. This beautiful diamond and sapphire set watch h...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Sapphire
- Hermes Cape Cod Hammered Stainless Steel Limited Edtion WatchBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers an Hermes Cape Cod quartz watch featured in hammered stainless steel. This edgy version of Henri d'Origny's 1991 Chaine d'Ancre inspired design features a hammered ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Stainless Steel
- EARLY EDiTION BRAND NEW BREITLING CHRONOMAT B01 42 SIX NATIONS IRELAND WATCHBy BreitlingLocated in GBRoyal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale early edition brand new in the original box with all the extras BREITLING Chronomat B01 42 Six Nations Limited Edition Ireland Watch...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Wrist Watches
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?