Fashion watches / Ladies watch
The French fashion and jewelry brand has finally updated its Timeless line of ladies watches with a new, larger than life version. Sporting an impressively massive oval case 50 mm x 35 mm in dimensions and a hand-engraved dial with its deep blue color, the new Van Cleef & Arpels Timeless XL (ref. VCARN9VB00) wristwatch may not look as entertaining as their other collections featuring retrograde indicators and thoroughly executed “romantic” scenes, but it still leaves quite a strong impression on an unsuspecting mind.
Regrettably, in its press release Van Cleef & Arpels doesn’t go into great details regarding their new collection. It is, for example, not clear what kind of movement drives this beauty besides the fact that it is a “Swiss Quartz”, I can’t tell you anything regarding the thickness of the piece, and there is still no information regarding its price*.
Well, judging by the materials used and the number of precious stones that adore this beauty, it surely won’t be cheap.
I mean, it is known that the timekeeper’s huge body is crafted from either from rose or (like in this particular case) white gold and is set with dozens of round brilliant diamonds totaling at approximately 3.75 carats.
As usual, the employment of finely cut precious stones is not limited to the bezel alone. There are smaller diamonds decorating its small setting crown, as well as a number of diamonds adorning the gold pin buckle and the large Roman numerals at 6 and 12 o’clock.
It is also nice to point out that the blue dial of ref. VCARN9VB00 is guilloched by hand, not with some highly precise, but still completely soulless laser engraving machine.
The blue alligator leather strap that comes with this watch is, too, stitched by hand and seems to perfectly match the color of the gorgeous dial.
I am not really sure about the open-worked hour and minute hands, though. Like other parts of the watch, they are flawlessly executed and look almost perfect, but somehow make an impression that they were designed for another, sportier and more modern-looking watch. I guess a pair of leaf-shaped hands would look a lot better with this one.
* UPDATE ON PRICE: In the United States, the timekeeper’s MSRP is set at fairly impressive (at least, for a watch that is powered by a quartz caliber) $46,000 USD.
See also: Van Cleef & Arpels Poetic Complication Five weeks in a balloon
Photos: James Katt / Betteridge.com
Van Cleef & Arpels Timeless XL in White Gold (Ref. VCARN9VB00) ladies watch specification
Price: $46,000 USD (MSRP)
Movement: Swiss Quartz
Number of jewels: No data
Movement frequency: N/A
Movement decoration: N/A
Functions: Hours, minutes
Power reserve: A couple of years
Case material: 18-carat White gold
Bezel material: Matches case, set with diamonds
Crown material: Matches case
Case shape: Oval
Bezel shape: Oval
Case size: 50.00 mm x 35.00 mm
Case height: 10.00 mm
Lug width: No data
Dial: Blue, guilloched by hand
Numerals: Roman, set with diamonds
Hour markers: None
Hands: Open-worked
Water resistance: 30 meters
Strap: Hand-stitched blue alligator leather strap, 18-carat gold buckle set with diamonds
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective coating
Case back: Solid, engraved