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Van Cleef & Arpels Donates Midnight Palais de la Chance to Covid-19 Solidarity Auction
Arpels, who was inspired by symbols of luck in nature was particularly drawn to the Four-Leaf Clover. In nature a four-leaf clover is extraordinarily rare. Only one in every 10,000 clovers is, in fact, a four-leaf clover. The leaves of the four-leaf clover said to stand for, “Faith, hope, love and luck.”
But the symbol really gained its modern connotation through Irish folk lore that elevated the four-leaf clover to a powerful symbol of good luck. Today the four-leaf clover is still used by brand such as Alfa Romeo and even Space X, to symbolize good fortune.
Arpels famously used the four-leaf clover to forge the design DNA for the Alhambra collection, a line of jewelry that appeals to women of all generations. Says Hugues de Pins the managing director of Van Cleef & Arpels for South East Asia and Australia, “It is incredible how we will have clients that comprise of mothers and daughters, and the Alhambra and the iconography of the four-leaf clover, resonates with them in the same way.”
The 42mm diameter case of this watch is white gold and set with 4.49 carats of DEF/ VVS stones. But it is the dial of this watch is the true unique master work of artisan skills known as métiers d’art. They are combined in the following way.
First a gold dial is sculpted and hollowed to create different areas and three- and a solitary four-leaf clover motifs. This is called gold sculpting, but also is the first step to champlevé, which combines this three dimension creation of patterns and voids with the use of enamel.
Translucent enamel (a rare technique perfected by Van Cleef & Aprels) is then applied to all the colored parts of the dial and fired in a kiln. This has to be done layer by layer, to build up the right color and texture, and at any stage the enamel can be rejected for any imperfection. Then the Lapis Lazuli section of the dial must be added using a marquetry technique. These sections of stone are incredibly thin and fragile.
In the end, 4.49 carats of the finest diamonds, 135.30 grams of white gold and 4 carats of Lapis Lazuli have been used to create this ravishing, one-of-a-kind creation and the ultimate symbol of Faith, Hope, Love and Luck. The crown of the watch is set with a Lapis Lazuli cabochon. It comes with a white gold ardillon folding buckle and a shiny bottle green alligator bracelet. Considering its diameter at 42mm, the watch is well suited for both ladies and men and is water resistant to 30m.
A rare gift of nature, the four leaf clover is believed to bring luck and happiness to the one who finds it. The diamonds clover of the Midnight Palais de la chance Trèfles Decor timepiece is thus a precious good fortune keeper.
The Midnight Palais de la Chance Trefles watch showcases a wide range of know-how to give life to the four-leaf clover, a rare and precious symbol of luck and happiness:
• Gold sculpting
• Champlevé enamel
• Translucent enamel
• Lapis lazuli selection and marquetry
• Diamond selection and setting (DEF/VVS)
Product specifications:
VCARO47O00
• Size: 42 mm
• Case: white gold, round diamonds
• Bezel: white gold
• Dial: white gold, round diamonds, lapis lazuli, enamel
• Crown: white gold set with a lapis lazuli cabochon
• Case back: white gold, engraved with number “N°19/22”
• Shiny bottle-green alligator strap with a white gold folding buckle paved with round diamonds
• Movement: Automatic mechanical movement (800 P)
• Water-resistance: 3 ATM
• Power reserve: 72 hours
Total material weight:
• White gold: 124.84 g
• Round diamonds: 4.49 cts
• Lapis lazuli: 4 cts[/td_block_text_with_title]