At this year’s SIHH, Van Cleef and Arpels debut the Carpe Koï watch bracelet as tribute to Japanese culture. Directly inspired by the Carpes Koï ring from the Palais de la Chance collection, the watch recreates the theme of movement in nature. A carp is the orange-colored fish with soothing properties. A symbol of love, it enlivens Zen gardens with its bright colors, contributing serenity and life. Renowned for swimming against the current, the carp is also a symbol of strength and courage.
Van Cleef & Arpels‘ vision of a carp is set as watch bracelet embelished with 8,000 magnificent coloured gemstones requiring 3,450 hours of work. The body of the carp is adorned with different coloured gemstones: yellow sapphires and spessartite garnets set into the yellow gold scales, and diamonds and Paraiba-like tourmalines to recreate a lively spray of water.
Even its bright orange garnet eyes seem to twinkle, enlivened with black spinel pupils. To attach the coiled carp to your wrist, apply a bit of pressure on its tail and see how beautifully the bracelet sits, revealing the fish’s lovely, gem-encrusted body, tail, fins and head to maximum advantage.
To show the time, the little carp opens its mouth to reveal a secret dial studded with princess-cut diamonds on the indices, spessartite garnets and yellow sapphires. This unique watch keeps track of the hours and minutes thanks to a precision quartz movement, allowing you to enjoy the attention this bracelet is going to attract.