Bouton d’Or

Bouton d’or watch

A whirl of yellow gold and diamonds

Launched in 2016, the jewelry collection Bouton d’or™ is inspired by a motif known as the paillette, created in the late 1930s. To mark the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie 2017, Van Cleef & Arpels is unveiling a watch with round lines that echoes its joyful and graphic style. Yellow gold sets the tone for this new creation, which combines the paillettes’ sunny glow with the brilliance of diamond. Continuing the collection’s unique interplays of volume and reflections, the bracelet is made up of three rows of concave or convex elements with a round diamond nestling at their center. Fully set with stones, the concave dial accentuates this effect of sparkling surfaces.

Bouton d’or, a revisited aesthetic

Since its creation, the paillette motif has lent itself to various successful interpretations. In the 1940s and 50s, single or crossed bracelets, double necklaces and rounded rings in yellow gold matched the feminine outfits of the time. With their fluid lines and supple drape, these pieces echoed the world of couture that so inspired Van Cleef & Arpels at that time. Today the Bouton d’or watch upholds this tradition, with its glittering paillettes and a bracelet thathugs the contours of the wrist.

Illuminating yellow gold

Reflecting the light, the Bouton d’or watch stands out for its intricate yellow gold craftsmanship. After being reworked by hand, the elements go through several phases of polishing – a delicate process for the curved or rounded pastilles. The precious metal is revealed in all its sparkle, while carefully maintaining the form of the motif. To provide the bracelet with suppleness and flexibility, several dozen elements are assembled together and superimposed at the center. Each motif is adorned with a diamond in closed setting, selected in keeping with the Maison’s standards of excellence: D, E or F for color, IF to VVS for clarity. Quality, high standards and precision come together at every stage to create a jewel that tells the time.