
Sharon Chan
Head of department, Director of Watches, Asia
HK$380,000 - HK$760,000
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Senior Specialist
Specialist
Senior Business Associate
Van Cleef & Arpels poetic complications combine the beauty of precious materials with various themes that tell a story on each dial. Beyond the technical innovations visible in these timepieces, they evoke a sense of wonder and storytelling that is rarely seen in the world of horology. The current example tells the story of a tree, inlaid with mother-of-pearl and white gold, with lacquered butterflies one each side fluttering down until they reach the ground, only to return to their original position to start the midnight dance again. This beautiful dance is the mechanism allowing for both retrograde hours and minutes to be displayed, thus creating a poetic yet practical application of timekeeping to the user. The current lot, in excellent condition, is a testament to the artistry and magical nature of Van Cleef's poetic complications, and one that any Van Cleef collector or enthusiast will treasure forever.