A luxury watchmaking brend Van Cleef & Arpels has a reputation of creating entirely unique artistic timepieces, and the new models presented at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie 2012 are tremendous examples why this is the case. The new Poetic Wishes watches are from the series of Poetic Complications and, as the other models from the series, are mediums that put together timekeeping, storytelling and truly exquisite dials. They are also technologically advanced products that utilize proprietary movements with five-minute repeaters that were developed after seven and a half years of hard work.
The new arrivals from the Poetic Time sub-collection display the romantic scenes from Paris. The female version, named Lady Arpels Poetic Wish timepiece presents the breathtaking scene on its enameled dial. In the left corner of the watch’s face, you can see the Eiffel Tower made from white gold. In the background, there is a representation of Paris as seen from the sky. Clouds in mother-of-pearl cast the shadows on the Seine which is represented by an intricate painting. The center of the dial is dominated by another iconic landmark of the City of Lights, the towers of Notre-Dame Cathedral. This is exactly where the girl, who stands on the terrace of the most famous symbol of Paris, turns her attention to.
Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels Poetic Wish Watch
However, this is far from the whole story which becomes activated with a simple press of the pusher located at the two o’clock position which also triggers a five-minute repeater (which tells the correct the time with a series of gongs, where the number of lower-sounding chimes represents hours, and the number of higher chimes represents five minute intervals). The second the scene is activated, a kite appears and carries the girls wish.
The lovely women’s watch is set in a circular white gold case (39 mm wide) with the bezel encrusted in D-E-F color diamonds of exceptional VVS clarity, in the usual manner of Van Cleef & Arpels which is also a jewelry manufacturer of outstanding reputation. There are two options for the strap: the first one is calfskin leather, and the other is pearl grey moiré leather.
The Other Part of the Poetic Wish Pair
The other piece in the Poetic Wish Pair is men’s Midnight Poetic Wish Watch. Appropriately, its dial depicts a night scenary in Paris and a young man who is standing at the top of Notre-Dame Cathedral, looking at the Eiffel Tower where his darling stands. After the scene is activated, the shooting star appears and carries his wish in the direction of his loved one.
Like the first timepiece, this one is also placed in a white gold case with the diameter of 43 mm. Likewise, there are two options for the strap: calf suede and alligator “claire de lune” leather. Each of these watches comes in a luxury cabinet that was constructed of precious woods and inlayed with mother-of-pearl. Two boxes put together reunite the young lovers. Their interiors are acoustic, and similarly to the interiors of string music instruments, they enhance the sound of five-minute repeaters.
Van Cleef & Arpels Poetic Wish Boxes
These summit points between art and timekeeping include movements that were constructed by a renowned watchmaker, Jean-Marc Wiederrecht, and his associates in Agenhor. The complex hand-wound mechanisms are comprised of 458 components. Due to the inclusion of a double barrel, the power reserve is 60 hours. Unlike other timepieces in the collection that utilize Jaeger-LeCoultre base mechanisms which are then adjusted, Poetic Wish watches are made with movements that were completely designed and constructed by Widerrecht, who is also the creator of Hermes Arceau Le Temps Suspendu timepiece, the winner of “Watch of the Year” prize for 2011.
Romantic Story Depicted on a Marvelous Pair of Watches – Van Cleef & Arpels Poetic Wish Timepieces Presented at SIHH 2012 review was published on Watchalyzer on January 22, 2012
hi there, where can i buy the midnight poetic wish watch??
@philip These are brand new models that are still not available and their price is yet to be revealed. For any further information about the release date and potential pre-order, I suggest you to visit the brand’s site and contact the nearest retailer from your region. address that lists van cleef and arpels retailers is http://www.vancleef-arpels.com/en/van-cleef.html#/boutiques/