Van Cleef and Arpels Buyers with Experience

History of the 1896 wedding of Estelle Arpels to Alfred Van Cleef

They met at the end of the Nineteenth Century, Alfred Van Cleef, a precious stone-cutters’ son, and the young woman, Estelle Arpels, her father a leading precious raw gems merchant. It was Paris, 1895, a marriage between two deep loves, joining together two families and creating a business family that even now, after one hundred and eighteen years, shines resilient as the diamonds they’ve designed.

The enchanting love story of Alfred Van Cleef and Estelle Arpels continued as inspiration led them into design innovations never seen in the world’s jewelry industry. Alfred opened “Le Maison de Van Cleef & Arpels” with Estelles three brothers. The partnership flourished and together, they all created a lasting institution of forever briliant diamonds set in delicately designed jewelry and high-end luxury watches.

Generations of amazing love stories later, the next generation of Van Cleef & Arpels family, brothers Claude and Louis Arpels were the first family jewelers to leave Paris to seek the American jewel market through participating in the 1939 Worlds’ Fair. They opened boutiques in Palm Beach, FL and New York City.

The secret of le Maisons’ American success was the families’ decision to merge the skills of Old World craftsmenship and “New World” tastes. The New York boutique designers of Van Cleef & Arpels expanded the use of gold, precious materials and semi-precious stones. This cross-culteral fusion from Paris, France, to the United States then back to France again, was the beginning of the incredible success of le’ Maison Van Cleef & Arpels.

Searching for the 1949 Vintage Masterpiece of Pierre Arpels Men’s Diamond Watch

For Pierre, it was all about an essential elegance, beauty never flaunted – “suggested”. Pierre Arpels, nephew of the companies’ founder, joined his family at “le Maison Van Cleef & Arpels” after WWII. In total secrecy, in 1949, Pierre added his chapter of exceptional design and elegant mystique to the history of “le Maison”. Pierre created an extra thin, gold with diamond men’s watch, elegant yet understated and meant for him alone. Then his close social circle each received a hand-crafted “the Pierre Arpels” man’s diamond watch, nicknamed “PA49”. Finally after this sophisticated timepiece featured in “le Maison’s Watch Collection” it became available to the general public in the 1970’s.

The original Pierre Arpels timepiece, designed in yellow gold with a white enamel dial, 0.2 inches thick, that had a matt finish and was slightly beveled with a very slim profile. Hours in Roman Numerals and the hands were simple black “batons” a very simplified look. The black and white leather strap stitched with two twin central supports ” represent” a rounded dial (perfect circle), suspended in space. The unusual supports said to “represent the axis from where the earth rotates”. An innovative thin design, you will recognize a true Pierre Arpels by these two straight bars that frame the dial one at twelve, one at the 6 o’clock positiion and the Crown, set with a single diamond.

Raymond Lee Jewelers is one of the largest, most respected estate buyers in the country. We handle unique and sought after jewelry designers of the world. We broker competitive prices at an excellent savings. Our commitment to providing our clients with the most advanced service center using their outstanding ability, has enabled our team to fully service the needs of every customer who comes to us.

We are known in our field and during the past thirty years we have developed a relationship of trust and integrity with our local Boca Raton, FL, clientele’ as well as all over the country. People often come to us with requests for extraordinary pieces designed by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Henry Dunay, Roberto Coin, Bvlgari and David Yurman.

Our current client wants an original 1949 Pierre Arpels Men’s Diamond Watch. We always search for the best watches, vintage or unused. Specializing in purchasing premier luxury watches, diamond jewelry and custom designed pieces. Our highest goal is to purchase jewelry and luxury watches at the fairest prices possible, few buyers today are willing to pay.

We Are Qualified Diamond and Watch Buyers in Boca Raton, FL and all over the U.S.

If you think you may have a Pierre Arpels after reading our description above, please contact us. To give you an idea of the potential value, the 2012 replica of this watch, made in white gold or pink gold instead of the original yellow gold valued at $34,400. We will be happy to purchase any of the Pierre Arpels collections, or other designer luxury watches at a very fair to market price.

Watch and Jewelry Repair in Boca Raton

Raymond Lee Jewelers has invested in the finest, best available, world-class watch and jewelry repair equipment that you would fine in any high-end established Swiss repair shop. Watch and jewelry repair services provided by our own trained and experienced master watch makers. You can trust the quality, care and skill our professionals have for a simple repair to the most complicated repair problems. We are here to service your every need.

Let Us Show You Where You Can Sell Diamonds in Boca Raton!

Whether you have a single piece to sell or an entire estate, we come prepared to pay on-site. If you inherited, or even found a unique vintage piece in a basement, plumbing or a wall during construction. Jewelry has show up in some very strange ways but in these difficult times, what matters to us is that we can help you with some financial security if you find you have jewelry to sell.

We also offer professional appraisals with an on staff GIA Accredited, graduate Gemologist for insurance policy verifications. If you are looking for Rolex buyers, jewelry or luxury watch buyers we promise you an honest appraisal and a very fair offer. Call us to set up an appointment or stop by our Boca Raton Store.