Van Cleef & Arpels “Monsieur Arpels”

Van Cleef & Arpels “Monsieur Arpels” 18K YG Dual Time Generational Calendar

This Monsieur Arpels Dual Time watch, Model HH2553, is in yellow gold and has a white lacquered dial with three mother-of-pearl counters. The hour, minutes and seconds hands are placed centrally. At 10 o’clock there is a power reserve indicator with a hand that duplicates the shape of the piece within the movement. The date dial is at 2 o’clock and is adjusted from a very discrete push button at 2 o’clock. The bi-directional second time zone dial is at 6 o’clock and is adjusted from the crown at 3 o’clock. Both dials slightly overlap the larger power reserve indicator offering a pleasing fusion of dials within the dial. The movement is an automatic Van Cleef & Arpels 939 with a 40-hour power reserve.

However, the Monsieur Arpels Dual Time has two additional subtleties. The first is a small window on the side of the case at 9 o’clock that reveals the movement, and the second is a ‘generational’ calendar engraved on a disc at the back of the case. The calendar shows months, days and date from 2004 to 2092 – which makes it valid for 88 years. Used like New.