Van Cleef & Arpels’ Poetry of Time exhibition, taking place at Central Ferry Pier 4 from January 24 to February 8, 2026, unfolds as a dialogue between time, craftsmanship and imagination

Staged at the iconic Central Ferry Pier 4, Poetry of Time opens by delving into the Van Cleef & Arpels archives to showcase a cabinet of curiosities that tracing back to the union of Alfred Van Cleef and Estelle Arpels in 1895, and the founding of the Maison at Place Vendôme in Paris in 1906. Vistors then enter into a central hall furnished where three dedicated workbenches reveal the behind-the-scenes processes of movement-making, decorative métiers, and automata.

At its heart, the exhibition is structured around five thematic universes emblematic to the Maison: Love Stories, Poetic Astronomy, Enchanting Nature, Ballerinas and Fairies, and Jewels that tell time. Whether capturing the fleeting moment of lovers meeting, the rhythm of celestial motion, or a dancer suspended mid-air, time here is no longer simply displayed, it is interpreted.

A highlight not to be missed is the Planétarium Automaton, first unveiled at Watches & Wonders 2025, which will be presented in Hong Kong for the very first time. Inspired by astronomical movements, the piece brings together complex mechanical construction and visual storytelling in a way that invites close attention.

The final chapter of the exhibition returns to lighter, more everyday scenes. A space inspired by the Lady Arpels Bal des Amoureux Automate is transformed into a Parisian-style café square, extending into workshops and talks hosted by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewellery Arts. For those already familiar with Van Cleef & Arpels, the exhibition offers a layered and comprehensive reflection; for newcomers, it serves as an entry point into understanding how high watchmaking can exist alongside emotion, imagination and culture.

To book your visit, tap here.

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