ISSUE 58
In recent Issues, QP has devoted plenty of space to the resurgence of ambition on British watchmaking and QP58 is no exception as we recount the debut of M [...]
In recent Issues, QP has devoted plenty of space to the resurgence of ambition on British watchmaking and QP58 is no exception as we recount the debut of M [...]
Van Cleef & Arpels' 2013 collection, unveiled at SIHH this week, is an enchanting kaleidoscope of butterflies, swallows and ballerinas, culminating in the Lady Arpels Ballerine Enchantée watch from the Poetic Complications™ collection. Inspired by a quote from legendary Russian prima ballerina Anna Pavlova - "I've been dreaming that I was a ballerina, and that I was spending my whole life dancing as lightly as a butterfly…" - a miniature dancer takes centre stage on the guilloché and grand feu enamel dial of the watch. Sculpted in gold with champlevé enamel clothes and a rose-cut oval diamond face, it is the openwork wings of the ballerina's tutu that reveal the timepiece's secret.
Depressing a pusher at 8 o'clock initiates a double retrograde movement designed by high watchmaking workshop La Fabrique du Temps. First the left-hand veil of the ballerina's skirt rises to indicate the hour, followed by the right-hand veil rising to show the minutes. Both wings remain raised for 4 minutes before returning to their starting positions.
Inspired by the mechanism of its Magicien chinois pocket watch from 1927, the Ballerine Enchantée feaaturea a 40.5mm white-gold case with diamond-set bezel. All the pieces will be numbered and the design will become a part of the Maison's permanent collection.
Further information: www.vancleefarpels.com
