Lady Arpels Papillon Extraordinaire

A cherished theme
A limitless source of inspiration, butterflies – symbolizing the eternal renewal of a poetic and ethereal nature – have often fuelled the Maison’s imagination.
In the 1920s, these winged creatures were transformed into precious clips and earrings; later, they were adorned with Mystery Setting™ (in the 1970s), mother-of-pearl and lacquered wood.
In 2010, Van Cleef & Arpels went butterfly hunting with a High Jewelry collection entirely based around this theme. Within the Maison, they have also contributed to watchmaking creations like the Lady Arpels Extraordinary Butterflies pieces (2010) or the Lady Arpels Butterfly Symphony watch (Grand Prix du Public 2011, Ladies watch prize).
For the SIHH 2013, the butterfly – that universal symbol of metamorphosis – lends its delicate form to new compositions evoking the cycles of nature and the seasons: from day to night and from spring to winter.

Inspiration
With the Lady Arpels Papillon Extraordinaire watch, the Maison revisits one of its emblematic motifs using a new palette of shimmering colors.
Spread across a flower’s corolla, the gradation of hues – dominated by blue and pink – evokes the springtime awakening of nature and the renewed vitality of flora and fauna.

Savoir-faire
A true distillation of savoir-faire, this piece elegantly combines hard stone marquetry for the sections in lapis lazuli, sculpture on gold and mother-of-pearl for the background and the outline of the butterfly, plique-à-jour enameling for the color of the wings and diamond setting. The harmonious blend of different techniques contributes depth and relief to this three-dimensional composition.