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 Van Cleef & Arpels is a famous French jewelry house. It was founded in 1896 by Alfred Van Cleef and his father-in-law, Salomon Arpels. They occupied their first shop in the Place Vendome at number 22, in Paris, where their premises are still located.
Alfred Van Cleef served as an apprentice to Messrs David et Grosgeat before becoming a salesman for the same firm. In 1898, he married his cousin, Esther Arpels. Alfred had a good understanding of the techniques of stone cutting as well as being a skilled administrator; his wife looked after the accounts in the company's infancy.
A third Arpels brother joined in 1912, and his genial personality helped woo important clients including such celebrities as Marlene Dietrich and Maurice Chevalier and Eva Peron for whom a diamond and sapphire Argentine flag brooch was designed in the early 1950s. The company also designed the tiara of Grace Kelly when she became the princess of Monaco in 1956.
Today Van Cleef & Arpels continues its proud tradition of designing and crafting distinguished, exclusive and truly elegant jewellery and watches found anywhere in the world.
Van Cleef & Arpels watches combine the utmost precision of Swiss watchmaking with the creativity and spirit of high fashion jewelry. Every Van Cleef & Arpels watch is crafted with exquisite materials and expert complications. Glamour, beauty, elegance, and style define the signature of Van Cleef & Arpels.
Van Cleef & Arpels watches continue to set new standards for technical innovation and superior aesthetics in the watchmaking industry.
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