Van Cleef & Arpels Cadenas Diamond Wristwatch
click the photo to enlarge
Van Cleef & Arpels Ref. 131977 an 18ct yellow gold and diamond Cadenas lady's wristwatch, manufacturer: van Cleef & Arpels, year: circa 2002, reference no.: 131977 B2 19 TT1, case No.:130'597, model: Cadenas, material: 18ct yellow gold and diamond-set, calibre: quartz, 7 jewels, bracelet/strap: 18ct yellow gold snake bracelet Vca, max length 195 mm, dimensions: 14 mm x 26 mm, Gross weight: 87.47 grams, signed: dial, case and clasp signed, with maker's mark, with Swiss assay marks, accessories: box, notes, the Cadenas bracelet watch, meaning 'lock' in French, combines both form and function for its wearer. Widely acknowledged as one of the most iconic timepieces ever made, it is said that Wallis simpson, later the Duchess of Windsor, suggested this design to van Cleef and Arpels in 1935 as it was deemed unsightly in the early 1900s for a woman to wear a wristwatch in public. Cased in a bracelet design, the Cadenas dial is designed at an angle so only the wearer can subtly check the time. King Edward VIII presented the very first Cadenas watch to Wallis in 1936. Soon thereafter van Cleef and Arpels entered the model into commercial production and it proved to be extremely popular. The current model is a tribute to its predecessor.
You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.
Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item
When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.
This item has been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.
- Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.
- Edward Viii - Edward VIII (1894 ? 1972) was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth, and Emperor of India, from 20 January 1936 until his abdication to marry American socialite Wallis Simpson on 11 December 1936.
- Assay / Assayed - Assaying is the testing of a metal, most commonly silver and gold to determine its ingredients and quality. In Britain, once an item of silver or gold has been assayed, a mark is stamped on it, certifying its purity. Known as hallmark, it derives its name from the Guild Hall of the Goldsmiths' Company, who recieved its Charter in 1327 giving it the power to assay and mark articles of gold and silver.
This item has been included into following indexes: