Poetry of Time

EVENT DESCRIPTION

Transforming the passage of time into an enchanting spectacle, the exhibition offers audiences in Hong Kong a meticulously curated journey of discovery, each chapter in turn revealing and showcasing the mysteries of mechanical expertise and métiers d’art that give shape to Van Cleef & Arpels’ poetic vision of time.

The Maison delves into its heritage, emblematic sources of inspiration, and craftsmanship to showcase a comprehensive selection of highlights from Van Cleef & Arpels’ Poetic Complications, Extraordinary Dials and Extraordinary Objects collections, along with Jewels that tell time.

Unfolding through immersive scenery, Poetry of Time tells the story of the Maison like never before, a story that started in 1895 in the heart of Paris when Esther (known as Estelle) Arpels married Alfred Van Cleef. Van Cleef & Arpels came into being at Place Vendôme in 1906, linking their names to a shared destiny of excellence forged in love and with craftsmanship at the heart of every initiative.

The exhibition will open with a selection of pieces from the patrimony collection before moving into a hall where the savoir-faire that defines the Maison’s art of watchmaking will take centre stage. Three work benches offer behind the scenes insight into the Maison’s metiers d’art, movement expertise and automaton expertise. From here visitors will be invited to explore five universes reflecting the Maison’s emblematic sources of inspiration; Love Stories, Poetic Astronomy, Enchanting Nature, Ballerinas and Fairies and Jewels that tell time. Each universe will invite visitors to dream, presenting timepieces which articulate the artistry and grace unique to the Maison. A highlight will be the Planétarium Automaton launched at the 2025 Watches & Wonders, which makes its Hong Kong debut in the exhibition.

Inspired by the Lady Arpels Bal des Amoureux Automate timepiece, the final space of the exhibition will be transformed into a café within an immersive square, summoning the essence of Paris. Here visitors will be invited to join the Maison for a programme of events and authentic experiences that further express Van Cleef & Arpels’ creative universe. Craft workshops for children, and a conversation presented by L’ÉCOLE School of Jewelry Arts will be available for public registration via this link HERE.