The Rubis Secret bracelet watch stood out among selections from Cartier, Vacheron Constantin, Panerai, and more at the Palexpo Exhibition Center. Photos © Van Cleef & Arpels.

An invisible hinge allows for the wearer to effortlessly slip on this one-of-a-kind piece.

BY KAREN AANONSEN

Van Cleef & Arpels provided a sight for jaded eyes at the 26th edition of the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie. Last month, the label debuted its spectacular Rubis Secret at the Geneva-set event. Glowing with 115 Mozambican rubies, the unique creation, at first, appears to be a remarkable feat of jewelry. But with a light touch of one section of stones, a discreet drawer slides out, revealing a hidden dial and, thus, the piece’s true identity as a masterfully-crafted watch. Such a technical achievement required 1,500 hours of work — much of it spent on the precise placement of its gorgeous gems. In addition to the 151.25 carats of rubies, Rubis Secret features round and square diamonds set in white gold to accentuate the intensity of the bracelet’s crimson focal stones.

Van Cleef & Arpels has enchanted with secret watches since the 1920s.

—February 2016