Van Cleef & Arpels’s Automate Fée Ondine
Fairy tale beginning.
Since the early 1940s, fairies have been a beloved motif at Van Cleef & Arpels. This year’s one-of-a-kind Automate Fée Ondine brings a delightful nymph to life in a mechanical work of art. To create this mesmerizing automaton clock, the maison enlisted the help of 20 master craftspeople in various specialties. The bejewelled pixie lounges on an undulating green enamel lily pad as a ruby-clad ladybug traces the passing time around the base. Chimes ring, and the fairy awakens to watch the water lily blossom open, freeing a butterfly that flaps its diamond-set wings before retreating into the closing bloom. After an enchanting 50 seconds, the fairy bows her head to dream again.
_________
Never miss a story. Sign up for NUVO’s weekly newsletter, here.
