With the Midnight Jour Nuit Section de Lune, Van Cleef & Arpels is taking the Jour Nuit collection in a putting new path: past 40mm, plus a mixed moonphase and day/evening show with on-demand moonphase indication.
Designed and assembled by Les Ateliers Horlogers Van Cleef & Arpels, the motion took 4 years of improvement to meld two problems that would function in concord: the Solar and Moon that seem and disappear past the horizon (represented by a guilloché mother-of-pearl cap painted in a mild gradient) by the use of a 24-hour rotating disc, a signature of the watches within the Jour Nuit collection; and a moonphase indicated by a second rotating disc that completes one revolution in 24 hours, 16 minutes and 27 seconds to trace the moon’s 29.5-day cycle. A mesmeric animation could be activated by the pusher at 8 o’clock, which spins the dial one full revolution over 10 seconds to disclose the present part of the moon. Making this marvellous mechanism a problem to understand is the necessity to scale back the burden of each rotating discs for the animation to work with minimal friction. The self-winding mechanical motion delegates the crown to regulate each setting the time and adjusting the moonphase indication.
A part of the Poetic Issues watch assortment, the Jour Nuit collection launched in 2008 and subsequently up to date in 2024 at present contains extra ornate gem-set references measuring 33mm and 38mm, so the Midnight Jour Nuit Section de Lune’s substantial 42mm diameter and extra restrained aesthetic method clearly telegraph the maison’s intentions for the collection. Changing a diamond-set case with T-bar lugs is a 42mm rhodium-plated white-gold Midnight case with curved lugs; as a substitute of yellow sapphires and white diamonds, the Solar and Moon motifs are completed in guilloché yellow gold and white mother-of-pearl, respectively; and a brighter blue Murano aventurine glass and mother-of-pearl cap make approach for a moodier, extra enigmatic set (the aventurine glass’s deeper color and bronze-toned shimmer have been developed with Van Cleef & Arpels’ Innovation Division to emulate the evening sky in additional dramatic element.)
The celestial theme continues on the caseback, which includes a white-gold engraving that mimics the floor of the moon and its plains, trenches and craters. Earth is depicted by enamel tracing beneath the sapphire crystal, surrounded by miniature-painted planets that orbit with the rotation of the oscillating weight.
This story was first seen as a part of the WOW #86 Autumn 2026 situation.
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