This year, Van Cleef & Arpels pulled out all the stops with its Lady Arpels Papillon Automate 40mm Poetic Complication watch that combines automatons and several types of Métiers d’Arts. The watch dial is a stunning array of diamonds, multicolored sapphires, mother-of-pearl, miniature painting and champlevé, paillonné, plique-à jour and curved plique-à-jour enamel that all come together to form a butterfly amidst a breathtaking garden. Making the watch even more breathtaking is the fact that the butterfly is actually an automaton whose wings open and close — fluttering randomly one to four times in a row every couple of minutes when on the wrist. The wearer can also activate the butterfly with a push of a button. The 18K gold case and bezel is set with diamonds and the watch houses a self-winding mechanical movement.
$290,000
Where to buy Available by appointment, +1 877 826 2533, vancleefarpels.com
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