Van Cleef & Arpels Pierre Arpels "La Collection" - c. 1990 (full set)

An iconic timepiece.

Description

The Pierre Arpels watch, known as the "PA 49", is a model defined by clean, elegant lines. It has been produced in several versions, some more original than others. This particular piece stands out for its finesse, from the bezel combining gold and steel to the Roman numeral hour markers.
The round case is attached to the leather strap by fine horizontal lugs, discreet yet distinctive in design.

Its central seconds hand and quartz movement make it a resolutely practical watch for everyday wear. Thanks to the combination of gold and steel, this Pierre Arpels "La Collection" pairs effortlessly with jewellery in yellow or white gold, silver or steel. The original gold-plated buckle completes the piece.

The extra touch? This watch comes with its original box and its original Van Cleef & Arpels documents.

How to wear it?

Despite the inherent elegance of the model, this Pierre Arpels is just as at ease with jeans and a T-shirt as it is with a more formal outfit. Neither overly dressy nor too casual, it is perfectly suited to everyday life, ideal for both work and evening wear.

With a 30 mm case diameter, it offers a beautiful presence on the wrist and can be worn just as effortlessly by women as by men.

Why did Françoise choose it?

The Pierre Arpels embodies understated luxury and subtle refinement. It is an essential model within the Van Cleef & Arpels collections, with a discreet chic-sport spirit that Françoise particularly appreciates: a watch to wear without overthinking it. In her view, this model deserves to be better known, and more widely worn.

This also makes the Pierre Arpels a perfectly discreet watch for everyday use. Modest in appearance, it is nonetheless beautifully executed, with a pure, minimalist design.

History

The story of the Maison Van Cleef & Arpels began with the marriage of Estelle (Esther) Arpels, daughter of a precious-stone dealer, and Alfred Van Cleef, from a lineage of Belgian and Dutch craftsmen specialising in stone cutting. Estelle’s brothers, Charles, Louis and Julien Arpels, soon joined forces with their brother-in-law, leading to the creation of Van Cleef & Arpels, officially registered in 1906, the year the first boutique opened at 22 Place Vendôme.

The PA model was originally imagined in 1949 by Pierre Arpels, son of Alfred Van Cleef and Estelle Arpels, founders of the Maison. Although the jeweller did not initially intend to commercialise his watch, it was first produced for a select few before being introduced into the collections in 1971. This refined, elegant and harmonious model was then named “PA 49”.

An emblematic design, offered with a variety of dials and still part of the Maison’s collections today, its pure lines remain faithful to the original drawing.