Poetic whispers of French know‑how - Van Cleef & Arpels “Poetry of Time” exhibition 2026, Hong Kong

Dear readers, one of the most precious things in the world is not the exquisitely tailored suit in superfine wool or rare fabrics, nor a tourbillon watch crafted by a renowned Swiss manufacturer in precious metals and intricate components. Instead, it is something far more intangible, seemingly modest yet essential to each of us: time. As much as we might wish for more time to pursue our New Year’s resolutions, time remains one of the most valuable elements in our lives. Speaking of time, for those who love the art of watchmaking, high jewellery, and French savoir-faire, the Van Cleef & Arpels “Poetry of Time” exhibition might intrigue you. Presented by the French high jewellery maison, the exhibition runs from 24th January to 8th February 2026 at Central Ferry Pier 4 in Hong Kong, transforming the venue into an immersive world dedicated to poetic watchmaking.

Held in a custom-designed space on Hong Kong Island overlooking the magnificent Victoria Harbour, the “Poetry of Time” exhibition offers a memorable and refined journey into the maison’s universe, with an exquisite selection of timepieces and jewellery that allows each visitor to experience its poetic and romantic spirit. After a stop in Dubai in December 2025, the exhibition continues its Asian tour in Hong Kong to inaugurate 2026, its deep midnight‑blue scenography creating a sense of romantic mystery that invites visitors to explore.

The exhibition provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at métiers d’art and innovative techniques that define the maison’s creative philosophy; the space is arranged into five thematic rooms, each reflects Van Cleef & Arpels’ emblematic sources of inspiration: “Love Stories”, “Poetic Astronomy”, “Enchanting Nature”, “Ballerinas and Fairies”, and “Jewels that Tell Time”, with signature collections such as “Alhambra” and “Perlée” also on display.

Upon entering the exhibition, the first room presents a selection of historic archive pieces from the maison’s patrimony collection, ranging from necklaces and brooches to timepieces and evening boxes, some dating back to the mid‑1930s. These creations transport visitors back in time to rediscover the maison’s early work, delicate craftsmanship, and the fashions of those eras. To me, this opening chapter weaves fragments of different style periods — from post-Belle-Époque Parisian elegance to late Art Deco glamour — forming a captivating prelude.

As one moves toward the main hall, two prominent display tables highlight the art of the maison’s watchmaking. One offers a close-up look at the complex mechanics of the “Lady Arpels Heures Florales Cerisier” timepiece, while another reveals the artistic métiers d’art behind the dial of the “Lady Arpels Pont des Amoureux” timepiece, illustrating step-by-step the labor-intensive processes, skill, and artistry involved. This presentation not only guides visitors through the technical and artistic effort behind each creation, but also invites them to step into the artisans’ shoes and feel how demanding it is to bring such precious, poetic timepieces to life.

My favourite space is the “Love Stories” room, which showcases the maison’s iconic “Pont des Amoureux” timepieces. Through a fairytale‑like theme, timepieces portray two lovers meeting on a bridge beneath a magical Parisian evening sky, animated by a double retrograde movement that brings them together at noon and midnight. The series is unquestionably stunning: each piece feels one-of-a-kind, with its bejewelled refinement and couture-like allure, set against the crispy white books and bookshelves display that evoke the pages of a whimsical French love story brought to life.

The highlight of the exhibition is undoubtedly the Planétarium Automaton, first unveiled at Watches and Wonders 2025 in Geneva. Located in the “Poetic Astronomy” room, this extraordinary object presents the sun and planets visible from Earth, brought to life by a complex mechanical movement that tracks their real astronomical speeds. The automaton is crowned by a monumental glass dome and crafted from noble materials, with the sun composed of spessartite garnets, yellow sapphires and diamonds set on a forest of gold stems, while a rose-gold shooting star set with diamonds and rubies sweeps around the planets accompanied by a delicate 15-bell chime. The result is a breathtaking union of advanced watchmaking and high-jewellery craftsmanship that turns a vision of the cosmos into a poetic spectacle.

Continuing into “Enchanting Nature”, visitors are surrounded by luminous timepieces and jewels inspired by a mysterious fauna and flora garden. The showstopping piece here is the Naissance de l’Amour automaton, a 30 cm‑high masterpiece featuring the Cupid figure emerging from a basket of feathers, seated atop a Greek‑style column in rose gold, framed by clouds, precious metals, diamonds and shades of pink. Every detail and finishing touch underscores the maison’s devotion to meticulous watchmaking and jewellery‑making techniques, and its talent for infusing mechanical objects with tenderness, emotion and mythical reference.

Emerging from this room, visitors arrive at the final space of the exhibition: a café set within an immersive square inspired by the “Lady Arpels Bal des Amoureux Automate” timepiece. This area recreates the feel of a Parisian evening sky, offering a relaxed, romantic atmosphere in which to pause after the sensory richness of the exhibition. Visitors who have registered in advance and present their QR code are invited to enjoy a complimentary madeleine cake in either vanilla or lemon flavor, with a choice of pistachio, rose, or chocolate dip, adding a charming, gourmet note to the visit. Resting in this chic, Paris-evening-inspired café with a delicate madeleine after viewing the magnificent timepieces and jewellery feels like a small, memorable ritual to begin the new year.

Ultimately, time is both priceless and fragile, and learning to use it wisely and beautifully can profoundly enrich our lives. When we devoted our hours to the arts of watchmaking, jewellery, and French know‑how, the experience can be as therapeutic as it is poetic, offering a fresh breath of stylistic inspiration and fantasy to inaugurate the year.