Van Cleff & Arpels Watches 

What could be said to praise the fashion house of Van Cleef & Arpels? Words seem so limited to eulogize about this revered brand which has devoted itself to embellish the human body down the centuries. Alfred Van Cleef and his brother-in-law Charles Arpels established their company Van Cleef & Arpels in 1906 and shifted to the sophisticated boutique of Paris at 22, Place Vendome. From 1920s to 1940s the company produced some magnificent products, thanks to the working of the designer René Sim Lacaze and the daughter of Alfred Van Cleef and Estelle Arpels, Renée Puissant ensemble. The house became one of the premier companies of Europe to enter the American market when it inaugurated a boutique in New York in 1939 which is now located in 744 fifth avenue.

The boutiques of Van Cleef and Arpels delivered some extra-ordinary, exquisite and empirical jewelries and watches which soon became the talk of the town. In 1916, this brand offered a collection of Van Cleef & Arpels watches which were made of wood. This was really innovative and avant-garde too. The wood crafted timepieces were slim and aristocratic. The ever-popular beautiful ‘Cadenas’ watches  from Van Cleef & Arpels watches came into being in 1936 which are still found in modified versions in white, yellow gold with steel. In 1949 the company offered the classic, ultra-thin ‘PA49’ for men, which is now available in the name of “Monsieur Arpels’.

In 1992, the Parisian Musee de la Mode et du Costume arranged the Van Cleef & Arpels watches retrospective to throw bouquets at the latter’s colossal success.