Van Cleef & Arpels - Midnight Constellation Aquila
By offering a poetic representation of the stars, the constellations have nourished Van Cleef & Arpels’ imagination from High Jewelry to Watchmaking.
To depict the depth of the sky along with all the symbolic power of the constellations, Van Cleef & Arpels has combined different traditional crafts within each dial. While engraving and sculpture on gold provide the motifs with spectacular effects of relief and texture, the champlevé and vallonné enameling techniques add color. On the dial of the Midnight Constellation Aquila, the plumage of the eagle offers a subtle palette of blue tones.
The background in onyx have called for carefully selected stones that meet the Maison’s standards of excellence – as have the diamonds. Set within golden stars, they evoke the sparkle of the constellations in the sky. The back of the watch features an engraving of the piece’s motif along with the constellation’s Latin name: Aquila.
A black alligator bracelet with a white gold folding buckle set with round diamonds completes the piece.
Edition limited to 22 pieces.
Longines - Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
Solémia and jockey Olivier Peslier have been the heroes of the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe watched by over 50,000 people at the Longchamp racecourse. At the finish line of a breathtaking race, Olivier Peslier and his 4 year old filly have beaten Christophe Soumillon and Orfèvre. Another highlight of the day, the Prix de l'Opéra Longines has been won by Ridasiyna and Christophe-Patrice Lemaire. This year the famous Swiss watchmaker was involved in the prestigious Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe as official timekeeper for the second time as part of the partnership between the brand and the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club and France Galop.
Longines' passion for horses began with the manufacture of a pocket chronograph depicting a jockey and his mount, engraved by hand on the back of the case. Since at least 1881, Longines has been committed to horseracing and its chronographs have been highly sought after by racegoers. Today the brand is official partner and timekeeper to numerous prestigious events around the world, embracing horseracing, show jumping and endurance riding. Along with the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe it is affiliated to other iconic races such as the Prix de Diane Longines, the Dubai World Cup, Royal Ascot, the H.H. The Emir's Trophy presented by Longines, the Longines Hong Kong International races, the Longines Singapore Gold Cup, the Melbourne Cup Carnival, the Longines Handicap de las Americas, the Grand Prix Longines Lydia Tesio, the Longines Grosser Preis von Baden and the Kentucky Derby.
As part of its partnership with France Galop, the famous Swiss watchmaker is present at Chantilly, Deauville and Longchamp racecourses as the official timekeeper and the title partner of the Prix de Diane Longines. The brand is also the official partner and timekeeper for all the events organised by the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club.
In the frame of the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Longines introduced a chronograph from The Longines Saint-Imier Collection, a line that has been inspired by the origins of Longines' watchmaking tradition. The sleek lines and the distinctive lugs provide these new models with a subtle balance between classical and contemporary design. With a diameter of 41 mm, this chronograph is fitted with a column-wheel movement L688, developed and produced exclusively for Longines. Its case in steel displays a black dial and is fitted with a steel bracelet.