Reviews
Van Cleef & Arpels Captures the Stars
Reviews
Van Cleef & Arpels Captures the Stars
The very concept of time is as intangible as it is tangible, equally positive as it is negative. Sometimes it moves slowly, other times, it’s gone in a flash, yet we cannot speed it any more than we can slow it down. We embrace it as much as we fear it. Living in such a lightning-speed paced work and life culture, we are surrounded by constant reminders that time is running out, how we are always late, and how quickly it can pass us by. The notion of time has become a source of stress and aggression, as opposed to deeply romantic, and in the world of serious watchmaking, much of the approach to time veers towards mundane functionality. Every hour, minute, second and millisecond is accounted for with the utmost accuracy and detail. What then makes a maison such as Van Cleef & Arpels so incredibly alluring is the manner it views and expresses the notion of time. It would simply be inadequate to create a timepiece with no whimsy or story, and indeed, its Poetry of Time complications have been a spellbinding addition to the industry over the years. This particular theme has initiated great curiosity, where an elegant exchange between mechanics and artistry is afoot, and demands one to pause and observe.