One of the world’s foremost jewelry houses, Van Cleef & Arpels is particularly noted for a focus on technical virtuosity, craftsmanship and artistry, evident since its beginning. Rather than create earrings, bracelets, necklaces and other adornments primarily for the aim of displaying of wealth and opulence, Van Cleef & Arpels sought to produce jewelry that projected the wearer’s taste and style.
The company was formed a year after the 1895 marriage of Alfred Van Cleef, the son of a gem cutter, to Estelle Arpels, daughter of precious-stones dealer Salomon Arpels. Ten years later, Van Cleef & Arpels opened its first boutique on the Place Vendôme in Paris, setting the march on a square now crowded with dealers in bijouterie. (The company still occupies the New York flagship store opened in 1939 at Fifth Avenue and 57th Street.)
Born from a union of expertise in both jewelry making and gem selection, Van Cleef & Arpels distinguished itself with both the consistency of the color and clarity of its stones and the creativity of its designs. In doing so, the house would win a roster of dedicated, fashion-conscious clients that included the Duchess of Windsor, Marlene Dietrich, Barbara Hutton, Jacqueline Onassis and Elizabeth Taylor. In 1933, Van Cleef & Arpels patented its trademark Mystery Setting — a technique by which gems are fitted into an intricate matrix of slots and “drawers” that keep the setting hidden. Another signal innovation was the Zip necklace, introduced in 1951, which can be worn either around the neck or, with the zipper closed, as a bracelet.
But as much as to the firm’s craftsmanship, clients have been drawn by the insouciance and playfulness of Van Cleef & Arpels designers, as well as their attunement to the cultural climate. After the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922, the company produced several lavish pieces featuring hieroglyphics and other Egyptian motifs to go along with the geometric Art Deco jewelry of that decade and the next. Following World War II, as symbols of freedom and rebirth, the firm focused on naturalistic forms such as birds, flowers, fruit and flying insects. High society’s 1960s fascination with the Near East and India prompted such pieces as the best-selling Alhambra necklace, popularized by Princess Grace.
Lately, attention among collectors and connoisseurs has centered on Van Cleef & Arpels’s quality of workmanship as much as its glamour. The firm was the subject of a 2012 show at the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, as well as exhibitions at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California, in 2013 and at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris in 2014.
Find an exquisite collection of Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry on 1stDibs.
Vacheron Constantin 7813, 18K Yellow Gold Cal. K1014 mechanical Circa 1970s
By Vacheron Constantin
Located in PARIS, FR
Rare Vacheron Constantin Ref. 7813 in 18K yellow gold, produced during the 1970s and powered by the celebrated manufacture calibre K1014. This elegant tonneau-shaped dress watch per...
Yellow Gold
Piaget Cushion Ref 13406, 18K Gold, Ultra-Thin Calibre 12P, Circa 1978
By Piaget
Located in PARIS, FR
PIAGET “Cushion” Automatic – Ref. 13406 – 18K Yellow Gold Elegant late-1970s Piaget “Cushion” wristwatch crafted in 18K yellow gold and powered by the renowned manufacture calibre 1...
18k Gold
Longines Classic 18K Yellow Gold, Cal. 420 mechanical, Circa 1968
By Longines
Located in PARIS, FR
Longines Calibre 420 – 18K Yellow Gold – Circa 1968 Elegant vintage Longines wristwatch in 18K yellow gold, dating to the late 1960s and powered by the manufacture Calibre 420 manua...
18k Gold
Chopard L.U.C Ref. 810 Diamond Bezel with Integrated 18K Gold Bracelet, 1980's
By Chopard
Located in PARIS, FR
Chopard Genève L.U.C Ref. 810 – 18K Yellow Gold & Diamond Jewelry Watch – Circa 1980 Rare and elegant Chopard Genève L.U.C Ref. 810, crafted entirely in 18K yellow gold and produced circa 1980. This refined jewelry watch perfectly illustrates Chopard's distinctive approach to luxury watchmaking during the late twentieth century, combining precious materials, sophisticated design and traditional mechanical watchmaking. The watch features a beautifully executed integrated 18K yellow gold bracelet with a satin finish, demonstrating the exceptional jewelry craftsmanship for which Chopard is renowned. Its supple construction and harmonious proportions allow it to be worn as both a fine timepiece and an elegant piece of jewelry. The minimalist gold-tone dial is enhanced by applied gold hour markers and slender baton hands, preserving the watch's understated elegance. Surrounding the dial is a bezel set with 32 brilliant-cut diamonds totaling approximately 1 carat, providing a refined sparkle while maintaining the overall balance of the design. Powering the watch is the hand-wound Chopard calibre 2512 RZ, a reliable mechanical movement that complements the traditional character of the piece. The 26 mm case offers elegant proportions and excellent wearability, while the integrated bracelet creates a seamless visual flow characteristic of the most successful jewelry watch designs of the period. The watch was fully serviced in May 2026 and is running perfectly. Specifications • Maker: Chopard Genève L.U.C • Reference: 810 • Period: Circa 1980 • Case Number: 401442 • Case: 18K yellow gold (750/1000) • Bezel: Set with 32 brilliant-cut diamonds (approximately 1 carat total) • Dial: Gold-tone dial with applied gold indexes • Hands: Gold baton hands • Movement: Chopard Calibre 2512 RZ • Type: Manual-winding mechanical movement • Bracelet: Integrated 18K yellow gold bracelet with satin finish • Clasp: Signed Chopard clasp • Diameter: 26 mm • Bracelet Length: Approximately 17 cm • Weight: 50.1 g Included • Chopard presentation box • Chopard travel pouch • Service documentation Condition Excellent overall condition. Particularly well preserved, with no visible oxidation or notable wear. Running perfectly following recent servicing. An elegant and increasingly uncommon Chopard jewelry...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Blancpain Villeret Triple Calendar Moonphase Automatic Steel Gold, 1989
By Blancpain
Located in PARIS, FR
BLANCPAIN Villeret Triple Calendar Moonphase – Ref. 6595-1318 Elegant Blancpain Villeret Triple Calendar Moonphase ref. 6595-1318, sold on October 14, 1989 and preserved in remarkab...
Gold, Steel
Audemars Piguet Meridian 18K gold&steel ladies watch, Quartz AP 2610, 1989
By Audemars Piguet
Located in PARIS, FR
Audemars Piguet Meridian – Ref. SA 66289.0.695.38 – 18K Gold & Steel – 1989 Elegant Audemars Piguet Meridian wristwatch combining stainless steel and 18K yellow gold, sold on Ma...
18k Gold, Steel
Van Cleef and Arpels 18901 watch. 18k Gold VCA La Classique Ladies Watch.
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Genuine Van Cleef & Arpels Watch Classic or Classique Ladies ref. 18901 18k Yellow Gold Case. Condition: Shows little to no wear. Comes with genuine leather band. New battery inst...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Baume & Mercier with Arabic Numbers Gold Dial on a Strap
By Baume & Mercier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A 27mm yellow gold Ladies Baume & Mercier wristwatch. Featuring a stunning a gold dial with Arabic numbers. The watch is fitted with a sapphire glass, movement and a Baume & Mercier ...
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arels 18k Yellow Gold Manual Wind Watch
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Case Size: 28.5mm (Width) Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: .0 grams Watch Maker: Van Cleef & Arpels Movement Maker: Van Cleef & Arpels Hallmarks: F...
Yellow Gold
Baume & Mercier 18k Yellow Gold Fluted Case Ladies Watch
By Baume & Mercier
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Vintage Baume & Mercier features a large 18k yellow gold case with fixed horse bit style lugs and crisp white Roman Numeral dial. The case measures 22 x 25mm excluding crown, (25mm x...
18k Gold
Retro 18K Yellow Gold Wristwatch by Van Cleef & Arpels, circa 1940s
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This adorable and intricate Retro wristwatch by Van Cleef & Arpels from the 1940s is a collectible treasure, exuding timeless elegance and exceptional craftsmanship. Crafted in luxur...
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Baume & Mercier 14k Gold Manual Wind Wristwatch, Circa 1960s
By Baume & Mercier
Located in Wallkill, NY
Classic 14k gold wristwatch from renowned watch company Baume & Mercier. Sleek, long rectangular face, four baton hour marks at 12, 3, 6 and 9 with a brushed gilt dial. 17 Jewel ...
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
