Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Poetry of Time” Exhibition Opens in Shanghai

On June 27, Van Cleef & Arpels unveiled its new high watchmaking exhibition, Poetry of Time, in Shanghai. Open to the public free of charge, this exhibition merges art, craftsmanship, and mechanical aesthetics, offering an immersive storytelling experience that comprehensively showcases the Maison’s unique watchmaking philosophy and poetic imagination.

The Exhibition rooms are built around the Maison’s core creative inspirations—ballerinas and fairies, poetic astronomy, love stories, and enchanting nature.

Within these rooms, Van Cleef & Arpels presents some of its most celebrated timepiece collections, including the Lady Arpels Bal des Amoureux Automate, Lady Arpels Heures Florales, Perlée Extraordinaire Fruits Enchantés Myrtille, Lady Féerie, as well as classics from the Ludo and Perlée lines—each embodying the brand’s Poetry of Time philosophy.

A special “Cabinet of Curiosities” features archival pieces and museum-grade masterpieces, retracing the Maison’s century-spanning watchmaking legacy. At the center of the exhibition, four watchmaking workbenches host live demonstrations by artisans, allowing visitors to closely observe the intricacies of métiers d’art such as enameling, engraving, and stone-setting.

Beyond its jewelry watches, the exhibition also highlights Van Cleef & Arpels’ recent achievements in the field of automatons. The Planétarium and Apparition des Baies mechanical installations are also on view—each merging precious materials with mechanical precision, reflecting the Maison’s expertise in both artistry and engineering.

This exhibition is also part of the official program of Festival Croisements—the Franco-Chinese cultural season—and continues the brand’s long-standing cultural mission.

Catherine Renier, President and CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels, remarked: “This new journey invites you to explore the distinctive charm of Van Cleef & Arpels’ watchmaking artistry. At the crossroads of traditional savoir-faire and modern craftsmanship, each creation expresses the Maison’s unique philosophy—imbuing time with emotion and poetic reflection.”