Examining Van Cleef & Arpels' Lady Arpels Brise d’Été watch

Like a breath of pristine spring air, Van Cleef & Arpel’s Lady Arpels Brise d’Été watch arrives oh-so-delicately. While the French Maison regularly weaves nature into its exquisite creations, the new timepiece, which expertly expresses a crisp green garden, soothing blue petals and a pair of dancing butterflies, comes as fresh as the scent of dawn. The flowers blossom in vallonné enamel, with the subtle blue gradations perfected with a miniature enamel painting technique that has been in use by enamel artists since the 17^th century. Each bloom is anchored by glowing spessartite garnet pistils, and further irradiated with scintillating leaves paved with tsavorite garnets. Adding dimension to the lifelike garden are two curling grass blades in plique-à-jour enamel. Perhaps most impressive of all, two butterflies, also in plique-à-jour enamel, glide across the dial whenever you fancy — press the button on the timepiece, and the ephemeral insects take off. The poetry of the house ensues on the back of the watch case, as the sapphire crystal is adorned with florals created with enamel decal. Surely a timepiece that has us feeling full of the joys of spring.