The Pont des Amoureux timepiece: the beginning of a love story

The woman sashays across the bridge with her umbrella in accordance with the hour movement, and the man hides a bouquet of flowers behind his back as he makes his second-by-second approach. At the 12 o'clock hour, the two meet at the center for a kiss.... très romantique.

Paris’ Pont des Arts, that uniquely romantic setting, symbolizes the union between the two banks of the Seine. In this timepiece, it also represents the beginning of a love story. Thanks to the complex Retrograde movement which animates its dial, two characters meet for a kiss at noon and midnight. Their poetic embrace on the Pont des Amoureux symbolizes life’s happiest moments: those which are devoted to love.

The moonlight which bathes the Parisian façades is highlighted by an enameling technique used on a watch for the very first time: Contre-Jour enamel. By meticulously hand-painting details in black and white, a spectacular and mysterious effect of architectural relief is obtained. For Van Cleef & Arpels, attention to detail is a veritable art form. Miniature versions of the two lovers have been skillfully inserted into the mechanism, as reminders of Love hidden in the heart of the timepiece. The dial also contains a reference to luck, with a single gold spot in the sky representing the Great Bear constellation. Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels Pont Des Amoureux Watch White Gold. 38 mm white gold case; white gold bezel with round diamonds; grisaille enamel dial; white gold sculpted bridge. White gold crown with a round diamond. Shiny alligator with square scale and ardillon buckle. The manual-winding mechanical movement (JLC846), is equipped with an Agenhor retrograde module developed exclusively for Van Cleef & Arpels with 30-hour power reserve.

For Van Cleef & Arpels, Time may not just be counted in hours, minutes, or seconds. It poetically guides you, in a unique way, through the passing of days, the changing of seasons, the constellations of stars… and other wonders that make life’s moments memorable.  Indeed, the Maison’s watches set the stage for breathtaking designs that spark dreamlike narratives.

In 2006, Van Cleef & Arpels celebrated its centenary with the Lady Arpels™ Centenaire watch, on which time flows by in harmony with the seasons. Bearing a new vision of watchmaking, the Poetic Complications^® collection was born. Since then, the Maison has continuously enriched its tales of enchantment with new chapters where each creation associates technical prowess, creative research and a sense of wonder. Besides their exceptional watchmaking techniques, these intricate mechanisms call upon métiers d’art and exceptional stone quality to bring stories to life.

This unique combination of savoir faire and creativity creates moments of emotion that form an integral part of Van Cleef & Arpels’ imagination. This poetic interpretation of Time, a true signature of the Maison, is translated visually by the delicacy of an original design that tells a story. The Maison’s creativity is fueled by the historic sources of inspiration dear to its heart; from the graceful femininity of Fairies and Ballerinas, to the founding theme of Love stories, the whimsical grace of Enchanting Nature and the mysteries of Poetic Astronomy.