Every Spring, Van Cleef & Arpels celebrates the season of nature’s awakening and fresh blooms. This year, the Frivole collection is enriched with eight new creations, with a bracelet and two secret watches among them.
Nature’s metamorphoses has always been a subject of fascination for French luxury label Van Cleef & Arpels. Through changing eras and artistic movements, the brand has reinterpreted the beauty of nature. Whether in necklaces, bracelets, earrings or clips, flora has been beautifully depicted and meticulously crafted in gold and a gorgeous array of precious stones.
Secret watches were first created by the Maison in the 1930s. They were so named because motifs of wildflowers and cosmos were cleverly used to conceal elegant dials. The new secret watch to the Frivole collection stays true to that creative tradition.
Frivole Secréte watch, yellow gold, diamonds, quartz movement.
For the first time, the secret watch is adorned by gold corolla. Beneath a delicately-pivoting floral bouquet lies a dial paved with diamonds. The petals are carefully arrayed to create a three-dimensional effect, a testament to Van Cleef & Arpels jewellers’ fine craftsmanship.
Featuring gold corollas in an array of sizes, the 7-flower bracelet reflects the vitality and diversity of nature. Crafted in mirror-polished gold, the heart-shaped petals exude a lustrous gleam, drawing attention to the centre of the flower, comprising one or three diamonds.
On the left: Jewelry work, cutting the overage of gold. On the right: Jewelry work, adjusting a prong setting.
Two prized techniques are used to give each creation its mesmerising brilliance. Each petal is carefully hand polished, using the Maison’s cherished mirror-polishing technique to maximise the precious metal’s shine. To enhance the sparkle of the gems, the jewellers use the openwork technique, where the jeweller pierces the gold structure to allow light to pass through the stones.
A bracelet-watch is also available in white gold paved with diamonds. Delicately-pivoting corollas conceal a diamond-paved dial that discreetly reveals the time. The precious bouquet can be transformed into a pendant and worn on a chain, or mounted on a jewellery structure as a clip.
Frivole Secréte watch, white gold, diamonds, quartz movement. Transformable into a clip and a long pendant.
Also new: A large-format pendant comprising three sparkling petals blooming around a heart composed of three diamonds. It can be worn on a white gold chain or as a clip on clothing – or even in the hair.
The 5-flower bracelet with different-sized motifs can accompany the collection’s 9-flower necklace to form a set.
Lovers of rings will be drawn to Between the Finger Ring, featuring three flowers in mirror-polished white gold and a diamond-paved flower. True to the Maison’s emblematic style, the asymmetry of the piece evokes the dynamism and energy of spring blossoms.
From left to right: Frivole clip pendant, very large model, white gold, round diamonds; Frivole bracelet 5 flowers, white gold, round diamonds; Frivole Between the Finger ring, white gold, round diamonds.
Finally, for the first time, precious rose gold and pink sapphires are combined in Frivole creations. The design is simple and feminine: The three-petal bloom now comes in a rose gold finish with sparkly diamond-set petals and a pink sapphire heart. Available as a pendant and a pair of earrings.
Van Cleef & Arpels’ expert gemologists have carefully selected the gems used for each creation. The pink sapphires that adorn the new Frivole pieces have a strikingly intense colour, while the diamonds meet the strictest criteria: D to F for colour and IF to VVS for clarity.
On the left: Frivole pendant, small model, rose gold, round pink sapphire, round diamonds. On the right: Frivole earrings, small model, rose gold, round pink sapphires, round diamonds.
Images courtesy of Van Cleef & Arpels, artwork by Curatedition. All rights reserved.
Related links:
Van Cleef & Arpels: Fantastic Menagerie
Van Cleef & Arpels: Perlée Happy Things
