Retailed by Van Cleef & Arpels

Long before Van Cleef & Arpels developed its own watch collections, the Parisian jeweler occupied a role that has largely disappeared with the rise of brand-owned boutiques. Like Cartier and Tiffany & Co., Van Cleef & Arpels was an authorized retailer for many of Switzerland's leading watchmakers, commissioning special examples that bore a "V.C.&A." signature on the dial or a "VCA" stamp on the bracelet clasp. Far from standard production pieces, these watches were ordered exclusively for Van Cleef & Arpels boutiques and sold with the jeweler's own invoices and sales documentation alongside the manufacturer's original warranty. Today, such retailer-signed watches represent a highly collectible niche, combining the craftsmanship of the original manufacture with the added rarity and provenance of one of the world's most celebrated jewelry houses.

The present lot is a beautifully preserved example of this fascinating chapter in Van Cleef & Arpels' history. Manufactured by Corum, the 18K yellow gold bracelet watch is distinguished by its elegant diamond- and emerald-set case. The dial bears the Van Cleef & Arpels signature at 6 o'clock, complemented by the retailer's engraved serial number on the caseback—a tangible reminder of its original sale through one of Paris' most prestigious maisons.