Van Cleef & Arpels has recently unveiled two new timepieces, paying homage to the “vitality of nature” that has inspired the Maison’s creations since its founding. Among them is the Perlée Extraordinaire Fruits Enchantés Myrtille & Framboise Watch, the first to unite the aesthetic of the Perlée collection with the excellence of the Maison’s Métiers d’Art.
In these creations, the sun-kissed curves of ripened berries are brought to life in three dimensions through the Maison’s exclusive Fasonné enamel technique. The lush depiction of fruit is framed by a dazzling round case, transforming the wrist into a stage for an enchanting miniature scene.
The Sweet World of “Myrtille” and “Framboise”
Encircled by a border of golden beads, the dial reveals berries so vivid they seem ready to be plucked. Their plump volume and glossy sheen are achieved using the Fasonné enamel technique developed in 2023, which gives the fruit a unique sense of depth and brilliance. Alongside them, miniature-painted leaves appear against a textured gold background, conjuring the image of a forest bathed in soft light.
Gracefully adorning this tableau are two fairies, sculpted in rose or white gold, their diamond-set wings glistening as if playing with the passage of time. On the caseback, delicate engravings add a final flourish— a ladybug for the Framboise model and a butterfly for the Myrtille version.
Métiers d’Art: Tradition and Innovation
Within its Geneva watchmaking workshops, Van Cleef & Arpels preserves its traditional savoir-faire while embracing innovation. The Fasonné enamel technique, patented after 16 months of research and development, embodies this spirit—bringing a high-relief, sculptural quality to enamel work.
The process begins by carefully placing enamel powder into a mold and firing it twice under precise temperature control to eliminate internal tension. The solid enamel plate is then polished, engraved, and shaped, before a final high-temperature firing creates a smooth surface and luminous transparency.
The enchanting effect is not achieved solely by enamel. Gold engraving and texturing also play a vital role. The fairies’ slender forms are crafted from wax models, refined in silver, and then meticulously engraved by hand. Delicate textures on the gold background further enhance light reflection, giving the dial remarkable depth and vibrancy.
The Pinnacle of Artistic Excellence: The Extraordinary Dials Collection
This creation belongs to the Extraordinary Dials Collection, which brings together multiple artisanal disciplines, including enameling, engraving, gem setting, miniature painting, and stone marquetry. Each dial requires approximately 300 hours to complete, incorporating techniques such as mother-of-pearl marquetry, paillonné enamel, and grisaille enamel.
Through the harmony of materials and light, each watch transcends its function as a timekeeper, becoming a wearable work of art that captures a poetic moment in time.
Like a scene lifted from a painting, the Perlée Extraordinaire Fruits Enchantés quietly marks time through its fruit, carries light through its fairies, and lives on the wrist as a treasure whose story is known only to its wearer.
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