Van Cleef & Arpels

Key dates of the house

It was in 1896 that Alfred Van Cleef and his uncle Salomon Arpels joined forces to found the parent company. However, it was only in 1906 that the first boutique really came into being, after an unfortunate event, namely the death of the uncle. But it was thanks to a new partnership, notably with Jules Arpels, that this boutique came to life. A few years later, in 1912, Louis Arpels took the place of his brother Jules. The boutique is located on the famous Place Vendôme.

We can see here from the beginning that the real driving force behind the house is Alfred, who already has a long career to his credit. Indeed, from a very young age, he has been involved in the diamond world, first as an apprentice and then as a salesman. He then married Estelle Arpels, who was none other than his uncle's daughter, therefore his first cousin. Her father was in fact a renowned stone merchant in the industry. From their association was born their motto, consisting of enhancing jewelry and watchmaking through atypical creations. This couple, fascinated by refinement and jewelry, writes a story worthy of a fairy tale. The first Van Cleef & Arpels perfumes came out of the workshops in the second half of the 20th century and are in the image of the jewels created by the house, they exude refinement.

As time passed, the house multiplied its creations and participated in numerous events and developed to the point of opening a boutique in Japan, for example. In 1976, the house launched its first perfume simply called First. In 1999, the house was bought by the famous Swiss group Richemont. In 2009, a new line of Van Cleef & Arpels perfumes was launched.

The brand's essential products

You will have at your disposal a vast range of Van Cleef & Arpels products to choose from. Of course, what has made its reputation is its luxurious range of jewelry watches. There are notably iconic models as well as new releases. Among the collection models, we can mention the Midnight in Paris watch. This model refers to the theme of astrology. Indeed, thanks to this watch, you will be able to consult the position of the stars in the sky daily.

Among the latest watch models, we can for example present the Midnight Zodiac Lumineuse. It was produced more precisely in 2016 and is equipped with an automatic winding system. The main advantage is being able to illuminate the dial thanks to materials that can be electrically charged.

The first Van Cleef & Arpels perfumes came out of the workshops in the second half of the 20th century and, like the jewels created by the house, they exude refinement. You can choose between different fragrances for men or women. Like their jewelry sets, the perfumes transport you to a world of smiling and luminous poetry. The creators reflect their values such as natural sophistication, prestige, and simplicity.

It was in 1978 that the perfume "Van Cleef & Arpels Pour Homme" was launched. It was created by perfumer Louis Monnet. Its original composition is quite complex. Today, the formula has been slightly modified, but its success is still guaranteed. Regarding the perfume Van Cleef & Arpels Pour Femme, this both floral and fruity fragrance comes in a bottle shaped like a precious stone, reminiscent of the house's primary activity. The Van Cleef & Arpels "First" eau de toilette, created in 1976, remains an iconic perfume today. The perfume Féérie is a beautiful composition for women with woody and musk notes, a fairytale perfume with a jewel spirit.