Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels Bal des Amoureux -

Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels Bal des Amoureux Automate Watch

Unveiled at the 2025 Geneva Watch Exhibition, the Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels Bal des Amoureux Automate is a poetic timepiece that brings the maison’s romantic storytelling to life through an intricate automaton mechanism developed over four years. Blending high watchmaking, artistic métiers d’art and emotional movement, it portrays a lovers’ rendezvous set in a 19th-century Parisian open-air café.

Grisaille Enamel Artistry

The dial illustrates a heartfelt meeting beneath the Parisian night sky. Crafted by master enamellers, it combines Grisaille enamel and Colored Grisaille enamel to create remarkable depth and visual storytelling. The deep-blue sky is formed with layers of Limoges white enamel and gradient blue tones, while warm yellow enamel captures glowing café lanterns. Each dial demands dozens of firings and over 40 hours of meticulous craftsmanship. The cobblestone square, engraved in white gold, recreates the iconic texture of Parisian streets.

Automaton Animation & Retrograde Display

The maison’s signature retrograde display features the hours on the left and minutes on the right. At noon and midnight—when the star-shaped hands reach the top of their arcs—the automaton comes alive: the lovers step toward each other, moving with articulated grace until they meet in a gentle kiss. A pusher at 7 o’clock allows the wearer to replay the scene anytime. The animation is powered solely by the pusher, ensuring repeated activations do not affect timekeeping precision.

Movement, Case & Finishing

Inside the 38 mm 18K white gold case lies an automatic movement with a 36-hour power reserve, enhanced by Van Cleef & Arpels’ in-house retrograde module. The diamond-set bezel and crown set with a brilliant-cut stone elevate the watch’s elegance. The reverse side features a sculpted engraving of the lovers dancing beneath a starlit sky, extending the poetic narrative of the dial.

The watch is finished with a blue alligator strap paired with a white gold pin buckle. Water resistance is rated to 30 metres.

Official retail price: €168,000

Technical Specifications – Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels Bal des Amoureux Automate

Case: 38 mm 18K white gold with diamond-set bezel and crown
Crystal: Sapphire
Dial: Grisaille & Colored Grisaille enamel with star-shaped hands
Movement: Automatic, 36-hour power reserve
Complications: Automaton animation, retrograde hour & minute hands
Strap: Blue alligator leather with white gold pin buckle
Water Resistance: 30 m