Watches And Wonders 2025: The Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels Bal des Amoureux Automate Is An Ode To Vintage Charm
3 min read
Adding a sense of wonder to Watches & Wonders 2025, Van Cleef & Arpels continues to weave poetic storytelling into haute horlogerie with the unveiling of the Lady Arpels Bal des Amoureux Automate. This exquisite timepiece marks the latest evolution in the maison’s celebrated Poetic Complications collection, where the passage of time is transformed into a tender love story.
Expanding upon the enchanting narrative first introduced with the Pont des Amoureux watch, this new creation captures the romance of a guinguette—an open-air dance café that flourished in 19th-century Paris. Through the magic of an automaton movement, two lovers meet under the glow of lanterns for a graceful embrace at noon and midnight, a moment that can also be re-created on demand at the touch of a button.
A New Chapter: Lady Arpels Bal des Amoureux Automate
Continuing the story initiated with the Pont des Amoureux watch, Van Cleef & Arpels introduces a new rendezvous. The Lady Arpels Bal des Amoureux Automate watch sets the scene for the couple’s tryst in an all-new décor, recreating the ambiance of a guinguette—an open-air dance café typical of 19th-century Parisian suburbs. An automaton movement brings the lovers closer together for a kiss at noon and midnight, a moment that can be replayed on demand with the push of a button on the watch case. True to the collection’s heritage, the hours and minutes are indicated by two stars set in motion by a double retrograde system.
The depth effects within the dial are achieved through five different planes, while a palette of grisaille and coloured grisaille enamel evokes the chiaroscuro of a starlit night. Handcrafted white gold cobblestones and festive lanterns add to the dreamlike Parisian setting. The caseback mirrors this romantic scene, with enamel decal on sapphire glass and gold engraving depicting the couple dancing under the lanterns.
The enchantment of the Lady Arpels Bal des Amoureux Automate is made possible by the meticulous work of Van Cleef & Arpels’ watchmaking experts in Geneva. After four years of research and development, they have created an automaton movement new to the maison’s collections. When activated, the characters gracefully approach one another, their linked arms lowering naturally thanks to three articulations. This attention to fluidity ensures that the animation is as lifelike as possible, all within a slim and elegantly concealed mechanism.
The Art of Grisaille Enamel
Featured on the dial of the Lady Arpels Bal des Amoureux Automate watch, grisaille enamel is a traditional métier d’art requiring exceptional skill and patience. Developed in 16th-century France, this technique masterfully captures the interplay of light and shadow. The watch showcases two variations of this rare savoir-faire: traditional grisaille enamel, where layers of white enamel powder known as “blanc de Limoges” are applied to a deep blue background for contrast, and colored grisaille enamel, where various shades of blue are enhanced by warm yellow accents that mimic the glow of lantern light. Each dial requires approximately 40 hours of work and a dozen kiln firings to achieve the perfect blend of tones and textures.
With this new creation, Van Cleef & Arpels continues to blend high watchmaking with storytelling, capturing the beauty of fleeting moments in an everlasting dance of time.
