While VC&A is more typically known for their jewelry and ladies replica watch collections, what we discovered with this elegant gent’s replica watch was an incredible understanding of sophisticated men’s design, as well as an impressive mechanical ability.
The Van Cleef & Arpels Heure d’Ici & Heure d’Ailleurs replica watch is the newest addition to VC&A’s Pierre Arpels Collection, a small but impressive assortment of men’s timepieces amongst a predominantly feminine line. Since 1949, VC&A has offered men’s timepieces, but this replica men’s watch represents a serious departure for the manufacture. The Van Cleef & Arpels Heure d’Ici & Heure d’Ailleurs (which translates to “Time Here & Time Elsewhere”) is the first dual time complication, also featuring an automatic movement with double jumping digital hour display and retrograde minutes.
Housed in a brilliantly polished white gold case sized at Van Cleef & Arpels 42mm Replica, the complicated men’s replica watch features a relatively stark dial layout, featuring twin digital hour displays at 5 o’clock and 11 o’clock and a single retrograde minutes register fitted along the left side of the dial in between. The center of the dial features a subtle piquemotif, and the name of the timepiece is spelled out in blue opposite the minutes register.
The replica men’s watch is surprisingly comfortable on the wrist, with its heft reminding you of its presence as it tucks out from underneath your cuff. As the softest precious metal, white gold does not hold up to any sort of abuse well. Regardless, with a great design that pairs a great size with hallmark historical design traits, this is not the kind of dress watch you forget you’re wearing, and in my book it is a winner.