Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels Planetarium
Introduced during SIHH 2018, the Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels Planetarium is one of the maison’s most poetic astronomical creations. The timepiece brings together miniature celestial bodies, precious stones, and advanced mechanical watchmaking. This model visually represents the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, and the Moon, each orbiting across an aventurine dial in realistic cosmic motion.
At the center of the dial is a rose-gold Sun. Surrounding it are the planets crafted from refined materials such as pink mother-of-pearl for Mercury, green enamel for Venus, and a vibrant turquoise-toned sphere for Earth. The Moon, represented by a ruby, orbits the Earth with accurate astronomical timing.
Each celestial body moves according to its real orbital period. Mercury completes a full rotation in 88 days, Venus in 224 days, and Earth in 365 days. The Moon travels around the Earth every 29.5 days. This astronomical choreography creates an ever-changing display that evolves naturally with time.
A rhodium-plated “shooting star” serves as the hour indicator. Although the minutes are not shown with precision, the concept reinforces the poetic intention of the watch: that human minutes and seconds are fleeting moments on the scale of the universe.
Case and Aesthetic Details
The Lady Arpels Planetarium is presented in a 38 mm white gold case, a remarkably compact size considering the complexity of its mechanism. Its silhouette draws inspiration from classic high jewelry watch designs, featuring elegant diamond settings along the bezel and case sides. The lugs mimic the aesthetic of vintage bracelet watches, creating a fluid, feminine profile.
The dial is constructed using seven layers of deep blue aventurine, creating a sense of depth reminiscent of the night sky. The outer ring marks the hours, followed by the track for the shooting-star hour hand, four orbit rings for the planets, and finally the radiant Sun positioned at the dial’s center.
Movement and Functionality
The watch is equipped with a newly developed self-winding movement that integrates the astronomical module. It offers a power reserve of approximately 40 hours. Through the sapphire crystal case back, the rotor reveals a decorative crescent moon and a blue gemstone motif. An outer ring set with colored stones indicates the calendar functions. A date window is placed at three o’clock on the back of the watch, while the month window sits at nine o’clock. Once adjusted, the planets reflect the present date or any chosen moment through accurate positioning.
The model is available with a blue alligator strap or a white gold bracelet adorned with diamonds. Both options complement the cosmic theme and luxurious craftsmanship.
For additional technical details about Van Cleef & Arpels high jewelry watches, you may visit an external reference such as the official brand website:
Van Cleef & Arpels Official Site.
Specifications
White gold case, 38 mm diameter, sapphire crystal case back, diamond-set crown, self-winding movement, 40-hour power reserve, alligator leather strap or diamond-set bracelet, white gold clasp.
