Van Cleef & Arpels Makes Time Magical With New Lady Féerie Watch

Van Cleef & Arpels has a long-standing tradition when it comes to fairies. Already in the early 1940s did the brand made clips featuring these magical figures, which represent hope and joy. One of the signature features was that a rose-cut diamond formed the head, above which a headdress further marked their magical appearance. Van Cleef & Arpels introduced these fairies on their watches with the first Lady Féerie watch in 2007, and now a new model is joining the collection.

Photo Credit: Van Cleef & Arpels – Johann Sauty

One of the first things that become clear when seeing the watch is the incredible amount of depth that there is to it. This is because Van Cleef & Arpels puts a significant amount of work into creating several layers of artistic expression that combined form the image. This starts with the background, formed by an expressive guilloche motif, which goes from almost white to deep blue. On top of this, clouds made from white gold with mother-of-pearl are placed, on which the fairy seems to sit. Her wings are made from white gold with a combination of grisaille enamel on plique-à-jour enamel. It is the first time that Van Cleef & Arpels uses both these techniques in a single motif. The fairy’s wings and clothing are set with diamonds and sapphires, while a rose-cut diamond forms her head.

Photo Credit: Van Cleef & Arpels – Clément Rousset

She also plays an active role in telling the time, indicating the minutes with her wand. Van Cleef & Arpels combined this retrograde function with a jump hour. This window is placed just above the six o’clock position, playing the role of the moon. The Lady Féerie has a diameter of 33mm, which ensures that it maintains its elegance while there is still enough space to let the scene on the dial come to life. To make this watch even more magical are the case and lugs set with brilliant-cut diamonds. Van Cleef & Arpels even made something special of the back. The oscillating weight features a similar guilloche motif as the front, with a moon and stars on it. As it turns, they seem to move through the sky, as the sapphire crystal has clouds on it. It are subtle, fun, yet thought-through details like this that also make the latest Lady Féerie watch simply magical.