There are love stories that transcend time and find their eternal sanctuary in the firmament. Inspired by the Oriental legend of the celestial lovers Vega and Altair (Niulang and Zhinu) —separated by the Milky Way and destined to meet only once a year—, Swiss Maison Van Cleef & Arpels presents one of its most dazzling creations within the iconic Extraordinary Dials series. Composed of the Lady Rencontre Céleste (VCARPERY00) and Lady Retrouvailles Célestes (VCARPERX00) references, this high jewelry duet pays homage to the “Poetry of Time” by interweaving miniature architecture, master engraving, and the virtuous technique of setting stones directly into fired enamel.
Heritage & Maison
A Maison Born from a Love Story
The poetic narrative that defines Van Cleef & Arpels is not a recent marketing construct, but the very origin of its founding. In 1895, the marriage of Estelle Arpels and Alfred Van Cleef united two families passionate about gemology and craftsmanship, culminating in 1906 with the opening of their legendary boutique at 22 Place Vendôme in Paris. Ever since, love and literature have set the tempo for their Poetry of Time philosophy, finding in the Extraordinary Dials collection the ideal canvas to translate universal myths into high-jewelry micro-sculptures.
Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Rencontre Céleste (Ref. VCARPERY00): The Melancholic Longing
The first of the celestial tales is dressed in cobalt blue tones to depict the lovers’ intense longing. Housed in a 33 mm rhodium-plated 18K white gold case set with diamonds, the Lady Rencontre Céleste features a three-dimensional dial crafted in 10 independent layers that requires over 120 hours of meticulous hand-work.
Set against a glitter gradient champlevé enamel base with grisaille enamel stars, the couple’s silhouette emerges behind white gold clouds encrusted with diamonds. Of particular note is the patented setting in enamel technique, developed after three and a half years of research and refinement to adapt it to these novelties. Their faces, suggested by rose-cut diamonds, gaze at a glowing moon while awaiting their ultimate reunion. In total, the timepiece integrates 412 diamonds (4.71 ct), 31 sapphires (1.42 ct), and 5 white mother-of-pearl elements.
Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Retrouvailles Célestes (Ref. VCARPERX00): The Elation of Reunion
The narrative reaches its climax with the Lady Retrouvailles Célestes, a creation rendered in gentle glittering tones of pink and mauve celebrating their ultimate union across an aerial bridge formed by white gold sculpted birds. In this reference, the 33 mm 18K rose gold case holds a sophisticated 13-layer three-dimensional dial in relief.
The robes of the figures combine white mother-of-pearl with plique-à-jour enamel —a translucent technique that allows light to pass through— over a crescent base set with mauve sapphires and enhanced by miniature painting on the setting beads. The composition brings together 403 diamonds (4.64 ct) and 31 pink sapphires (1.44 ct). On the reverse, a hand-engraved 18K rose gold case back requires up to 20 hours of painstaking craftsmanship by a master engraver.
Technical Specifications: Van Cleef & Arpels Extraordinary Dials Duet
| Technical Specification | Lady Rencontre Céleste (VCARPERY00) | Lady Retrouvailles Célestes (VCARPERX00) |
|---|---|---|
| Limited Edition | Numbered edition of 8 pieces | Numbered edition of 8 pieces |
| Case / Dimensions | Rhodium-plated 18K white gold set with diamonds (33 mm) | 18K rose gold set with diamonds (33 mm) |
| Dial Construction | 10 layers (over 120 h of painstaking hand-work) | 13 three-dimensional layers in relief |
| Enamel Techniques | Glitter gradient Champlevé, Grisaille, Plique-à-jour & Setting in Enamel | Relief Champlevé, Plique-à-jour & Setting in Enamel |
| Complementary Crafts | Miniature painting & white mother-of-pearl (5 elements) | Miniature painting & white mother-of-pearl (5 elements) |
| Total Gemstones | 412 diamonds (4.71 ct) + 31 sapphires (1.42 ct) | 403 diamonds (4.64 ct) + 31 pink sapphires (1.44 ct) |
| Case Back | Hand-engraved rhodium-plated 18K white gold | Hand-engraved 18K rose gold (up to 20 h) |
| Movement | Manual-winding mechanical movement (36h power reserve) | Manual-winding mechanical movement (36h power reserve) |
| Strap / Buckle | Shiny VCA Blue alligator + additional interchangeable strap | Shiny Mauve alligator + additional interchangeable strap |
| Water Resistance | 30 meters / 3 ATM | 30 meters / 3 ATM |
Recommended Reading
The Art of Grand Feu Enameling: History, Technique, and A. Lange & Söhne’s Process →
Delve into the complex stages of pigmentation, kiln temperatures, and vitrification that allow master enamelers to create everlasting dials.
