Description

Established: 1906, 22 Place Vendôme, Paris France

1895:

• Estelle Arpels Wed Alfred Van Cleef
  • She was the Daughter of a Gem Dealer
  • He was the Son of a Lapidary and Diamond Broker

1906: Alfred Partnered with Estelle’s Brothers to Open the First Boutique

1916: VCA Combined Wood and Precious Metals to Create the Touch of Wood Pieces.

1918: Created Châtelaine Watches (Lapel Watches)

1923:

• Inspiration from Egyptian Discoveries, Japanese, Chinese and Indian Designs.
• Created VCA’s 1st Secret Watch

1925: Grand Prize awarded to VCA At the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes for the Rose Bracelet

1926: Estelle and Arthur’s Daughter, Renée Puissant, Appointed Artistic Director in Collaboration with René-Sim Lacaze

1933:

• Invention of the Minaudière
• Patented the Mystery Setting

1934: First Ludo Bracelet Created in a Brick Link Motif

1935:

• Hexagon Mesh Ludo Design Created
• Cadenas Watch Designed with an Angled Dial for Easy Viewing

1936: Edward VIII Purchased 3 Pieces for Wallis Simpson

1937: Peony Double Clip Brooch

1938: Passe-Partout Convertible Necklace, Choker, Long Necklace, Bracelet, Belt.

1939: Wedding Ensembles for Princess Fawzia of Egypt

1940: New York Boutique Opens at 744 Fifth Avenue

1941: Ballerina and Fairy Clips Designed as a Symbol of Hope

1944: Lovebird Clips

1949: Pierre Arpels Designs A Man’s Watch

1950:

• Special Creations for the Maharani of Baroda
• The Zip Necklace, Improved from a 1938 Design, Worn Open as a Necklace, Closed as a Bracelet

1954: Animal Clips Create as a More Affordable Option Became Very Popular a the Place Vendôme Boutique

1956:

• Prince Rainier III Presented Grace Kelly with a VCA Pearl and Diamond Ensemble
• Principality of Monaco Named VCA their Official Supplier

1967:

• A Jewel Themed Ballet by George Balanchine Inspired by Meeting Claude Arpels
• Empress Farah Pahlavi of Iran’s Coronation Crown and Other Jewels Commissioned
• Maria Callas Owned the Cinq Feuilles Clip

1968: The Alhambra Collection was Born

1970: Launch of the Rose de Noël Collection

1971: Convertible Clip Brooch Suspending the Walska Briolette

1981: Cosmos  Flower Patent Application

1983: Col Claudine Necklace

1985: Snow Flake Collection

1990: Two New Mystery Set Techniques; One for Diamonds, One of Hexagonal Gems

1992: The Musée de la Mode et du Costume Held a Van Cleef & Arpels Exhibition

1998: Galilée Clock

1999: Compagnie Financière Richemont S.A. Acquired the Firm

2000: Millennium Clip of Opposing Ruby and Diamond Set Flowers with En Trembalnt Stamens

2003: Songe d’une Nuit d’Été Jewelry Collection

2003: Frivole® Collection

2004: Lacquered Butterfly Collection

2005: Boutonnière Line

2006:

• Pierres de Caractère Collection
• Trésors Révélés Collection
• Complications Poétiques® Collection with the Lady Arpels Centenaire
• Une Journée à Paris Collection

2007:

• L’Atlantide Collection
• Ballet Précieux Collection

2008:

• Les Jardins Collection
• Charms Watch Collection
• Perlée Collection

2009:

• “The Spirit of Beauty” Exhibition In Tokyo
• California Rêverie  Collection

2010:

• Les Voyages Extraordinaires™ Collection
• Grand Prix d’Horologerie de Genève Awarded to the Complications Poétiques Pont des Amoureux Watch

2011:

• Bals de légende™  Collection
• Opened a Boutique in Hong Kong SAR, China
• “Set in Style” Exhibition at the Cooper-Hewett National Design Museum, New York

2012:

• Palais de la chance® Collection
• Established the École des Arts Joailliers
• “Timeless Beauty” Exhibition at the Shanghai Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), China
• “Van Cleef & Arpels, L’Art de la Haute Joaillerie” at the Paris Musée des Arts Décoratifs

2013:

• Pierres de Caractère – Variations Collection
• Lady Arpels Ballerine Enchantée Watch
• Van Cleef & Arpels and Benjamin Millepied Partnership

2014:

• Peau d’Âne raconté par Van Cleef & Arpels Collection
• Midnight Planétarium Watch

2015: Seven Seas Collection

2016:

• L’Arche de Noé racontée par Van Cleef & Arpels Collection
• Émeraude en majesté Collection
• “The Art and Science of Gems” Exhibition at the ArtScience Museum in Singapore
• Opening the 20 Place Vendôme Boutique
• Iconic Tokyo Ginza Maison Boutique

2017:

• Automate Fée Ondine Object
• Le Secret Collection
• “Mastery of an Art: Van Cleef & Arpels – High Jewelry and Japanese Crafts” at the MoMAK in Kyoto, Japan

2018:

• Quatre contes de Grimm Collection
• “Van Cleef & Arpels, When Elegance Meets Art” Exhibition at the Today Art Museum in Beijin

2019:

• Treasure of Rubies
• Romeo & Juliet Collection
• “Van Cleef & Arpels: Time, Nature, Love” Exhibition at the Palazzo Reale in Milan, Italy

2019: “Van Cleef & Arpels: Time, Nature, Love” Exhibition at the Palazzo Reale in Milan, Italy