Shutter Ludo bricks secret watch (1949)

In 1934, the Maison created the first Ludo bracelet. Its name refers to Louis Arpels, known to his friends as “Ludo.” Designed to suggest the form of a leather belt, the remarkably flexible piece features a gold brick-link band that calls to mind fancy fabric patterns. In 1935, Van Cleef & Arpels created another version of the Ludo bracelet, introducing a mesh made up of hexagonal links.

This Ludo watch-bracelet from 1949 features a mechanical movement and encloses a rectangular dial concealed beneath two spring-loaded flaps. The mechanism for opening the flaps, which are engraved with a brick pattern to match the band, is operated by pushing the two round arches in Mystery Set sapphires. The time of day thus appears at a touch of the wearer’s fingers. This piece is another example of Van Cleef & Arpels’ tradition of creating discreet timekeeping devices. Two horizontal motifs embellished with six pavé-set diamonds on either side of the dial complete the design, adding a touch of light to the warm yellow gold and the velvety sapphires.