Van Cleef & Arpels presents Enchanting Time, a free watchmaking exhibition at the Galerie du Patrimoine, Paris

In Paris, Van Cleef & Arpels opens the doors of its Galerie du Patrimoine. This free watchmaking exhibition showcases historic, rare and poetic creations. It invites us to take a fresh look at time.

“Enchanting time” at the Galerie du Patrimoine

“Enchanting Time” presents a sensitive journey through pieces from the Maison’s archives. The aim is clear, yet nuanced: to show how the art of measuring the hours becomes a tangible emotion. What’s more, each room links technique, style and everyday use.

The scenography highlights the craftsmanship and precision of the movements. The eye moves between dials, bracelets, clocks and figurative motifs. As a result, the visit tells a lively story of taste and gesture.

Here, chronology dialogues with themes: poetic motifs, mechanical prowess, bold shapes. Then, the tour covers key decades, from the 1920s to the 1970s. In short, we understand how a signature has asserted itself over time.

“Measuring time becomes an art when it touches the emotions.

Practical tour, access and mediation

Located in the heart of Paris, the Galerie du Patrimoine welcomes visitors to a calm, luminous setting. Entrance is free, allowing visitors to pause for a moment without restraint. In this way, visitors can proceed at their own pace.

The exhibition is divided into different levels, with clear legends and period markers. This free watchmaking exhibition is aimed at the curious and the detail-oriented alike. Dated references help to situate each creation.

• Free admission to the Heritage Gallery
• Historical pieces dating from 1927 to 1972
• A short route, but rich in landmarks
• Craft-oriented mediation
• Easy access, metro nearby

For the best experience, plan a weekday slot. On the other hand, weekends can be busier. In this way, the visit gains in comfort and attention.

History and iconic pieces

Van Cleef & Arpels – Chinese Magician (gousset watch; 1927). This stylized figurative scene illustrates a taste for storytelling, very present at the time. The object blends poetry, precision and the spirit of travel.

Van Cleef & Arpels – Fleurs (secret watches; 1940). The corollas protect the dial and turn telling the time into a discreet gesture. At the heart of this free watchmaking exhibition, these pieces show how jewelry dialogues with the intimate.

Van Cleef & Arpels – Cadenas (watch; 1935 reinterpreted in 1972). The iconic shape asserts a modern allure, then crosses the decades without losing its spirit. What’s more, the reinterpretation underlines the vitality of a strong design.

Van Cleef & Arpels – PA49 (“skeleton” watches; 1949). Here, the architecture of the movement becomes visible and assumes its technical beauty. As a result, transparency reveals rigorous craftsmanship.

Know-how and imagination

Van Cleef & Arpels – Chinese Magician (pocket watch; 1927). The magician’s subtle imagery suggests a playful, theatrical moment. In this way, the piece finds its place in a free watchmaking exhibition with a poetic slant.

Van Cleef & Arpels – PA49 (watch; 1949). The fine cut and balanced lines are the hallmark of a demanding workshop. Visual lightness never overshadows precision.

Beyond watches: clocks and decorative arts

Van Cleef & Arpels – Birds Clock (clock; 1949). Stylized birds punctuate the surface and the reading of time. In this way, the object functions as a small domestic landscape.

Van Cleef & Arpels – Daisy Clip (clip; 1948). The floral motif, simple and precise, evokes a springtime energy. On the other hand, its presence is a reminder of the extent to which jewelry inspires watchmaking through its shapes and textures.

For many visitors, these works become visual and tactile milestones. From now on, we look at watches as jewels of use, but also as a narrative of gestures. This free watchmaking exhibition makes this double reading accessible.

Families will find concrete reference points, while connoisseurs will find technical references. In addition, the Maison highlights key years without rigidly interpreting them. As a result, visitors leave with a strong desire to return to this free watchmaking exhibition.

• free watchmaking exhibition