A Kiss At Midnight: Van Cleef & Arpels Brings Romance To The Wrist
Van Cleef & Arpels continues to blur the line between high horology and poetic storytelling with the release of the Lady Arpels Bal des Amoureux Automate. This timepiece is the latest evolution in the Maison’s celebrated tradition of animated complications, fusing masterful craftsmanship with theatrical artistry.
The scene set on the dial is unmistakably Parisian, portraying a guinguette — a charming outdoor café and dance hall — as the romantic backdrop. In the foreground, two delicately sculpted figures represent a pair of lovers gradually drawn to one another. True to Van Cleef & Arpels’ narrative spirit, the characters do more than mark the passing of time: they interact, moving gracefully across the dial until they meet to share a kiss at both noon and midnight.
The time display is integrated into this tableau through a double retrograde mechanism, represented by two gold stars moving across a sky of grisaille enamel clouds. This configuration ensures legibility without interrupting the artistic integrity of the scene.
Underpinning the animation is a newly developed automaton movement, specifically created to support the dual motions required by the display — the synchronized advance of each figure and their gentle lean toward one another. This sophisticated choreography is powered by a mechanical manual-winding movement that also allows the wearer to activate the scene on demand via a discreet pusher at 8 o’clock.
Though the maison has kept the full details of the movement confidential, the focus is clearly on emotion and effect rather than technical exposition. The power reserve is rated at approximately 36 hours, a notable figure considering the energy required to operate the automaton feature.
The dial showcases the Maison’s commitment to métiers d’art, notably the use of grisaille enamel, a rare and meticulous technique that builds soft luminosity through layers of white enamel on a dark base. To enhance the visual depth, shades of midnight blue enamel are applied to the clouds, contrasting beautifully with the warm gold accents of the figures and stars.
Housed in a diamond-set white gold case measuring 38mm, the watch is finished with a caseback engraved with swirling motifs, preserving the mystique of the hidden movement while reinforcing the aesthetic harmony of the piece.
As with previous creations in the Poetic Complications collection, the Lady Arpels Bal des Amoureux Automate is more than a watch — it’s a miniature performance on the wrist, where engineering and emotion meet in perfect balance.
Price: CHF 142,000 (leather strap), price on application for the bracelet version.
Read more at www.vancleefarpels.com.
General Specifications:
Brand: Van Cleef & Arpels
Model: Lady Arpels Bal des Amoureux Automate
Reference: VCARPERV00
Dial: Grisaille enamel
Lume: No
Case Material: 18k white gold
Case Dimensions: 38 mm Diameter
Crystal: Sapphire glass
Case Back: Sapphire glass
Water Resistance: 100 Meters
Strap: Blue alligator leather strap with a white gold pin buckle, white gold diamond-set bracelet with a folding clasp
Calibre: In-house automatic movement
Functions: Retrograde hours and minutes
Winding: Automatic
Power Reserve: 36 Hours
Price: CHF 142,000 (on a leather strap), upon request (diamond-set bracelet)
Availability: Now
