Comments:
Heure d'ici & Heure d'ailleurs (Time here & Time elsewhere)
Van Cleef & Arpels has released a new variant of its dual time zone complication with double jumping hours and retrograde minutes.
It's the Midnight Heure d'ici & Heure d'ailleurs ref. VCARPEVI00.
So I thought it would be interesting to review the three iterations of this complication.
This new 2026 variant features a 38 mm pink gold case, as opposed to the 42 mm of the previous 2018 version.
The solid caseback features:
The amber-brown enamel dial combines a guilloché pattern radiating outward with a piqué motif, which is echoed by the lozenge pattern of the crown (see above and below).
The watch is powered by a redesigned movement, which no longer features a micro rotor.
credit: Swisswatches Magazine
Now, here is the previous iteration of the Midnight Heure d'ici & Heure d'ailleurs, presented at SIHH in 2018 as ref. VCARO8T800.
The case measured 42 mm.
The dial didn't feature the central piqué motif and the dial wasn't made of enamel.
The movement was displayed through a sapphire caseback and featured a micro rotor.
credit: A Blog To Watch
And here is, finally, the first iteration ref. VCARO4II00 launched in 2014.
It came with a 42 mm rhodium-plated, 18-carat white-gold case with T-bar lugs.
The white lacquered dial featured a central piqué motif, like the new released variant.
And the micro rotor movement was displayed through a sapphire caseback.
credit: Swisswatches Magazine & A Blog To Watch (two last photos only)
This new 2026 variant features a 38 mm pink gold case, as opposed to the 42 mm of the previous 2018 version.
The solid caseback features:
- an upper section with a guilloché sun and the model name in italic script
- and a lower section with a depiction of the moon accompanied by a starry sky and the name of the Maison.
The amber-brown enamel dial combines a guilloché pattern radiating outward with a piqué motif, which is echoed by the lozenge pattern of the crown (see above and below).
The watch is powered by a redesigned movement, which no longer features a micro rotor.
credit: Swisswatches Magazine
Now, here is the previous iteration of the Midnight Heure d'ici & Heure d'ailleurs, presented at SIHH in 2018 as ref. VCARO8T800.
The case measured 42 mm.
The dial didn't feature the central piqué motif and the dial wasn't made of enamel.
The movement was displayed through a sapphire caseback and featured a micro rotor.
credit: A Blog To Watch
And here is, finally, the first iteration ref. VCARO4II00 launched in 2014.
It came with a 42 mm rhodium-plated, 18-carat white-gold case with T-bar lugs.
The white lacquered dial featured a central piqué motif, like the new released variant.
And the micro rotor movement was displayed through a sapphire caseback.
credit: Swisswatches Magazine & A Blog To Watch (two last photos only)
Do you like Van Cleef & Arpels' interpretation of the dual time zone complication?
And do you have a favorite among the three iterations?
The first one is my personal favorite, by I would like it to be sized down to 38 mm, like the newly released one.
Thanks for looking.
Best, Emmanuel
I agree, but one could argue that they didn't flip here.
It's just that the reference number is 0 at 6 o'clock instead of 12 o'clock.
But the numbers from 0 to 60 are all oriented in the same direction. So it's at least consistent.
But the numbers from 0 to 60 are all oriented in the same direction. So it's at least consistent.
I love the jump hour concept for showing two time zones.
The newest 38mm model is the best imo.
It's the first iteration for me, quattro.
I tell myself that he lugs and the extra text on the dial shouldn't work, but they do. Fascinating, beautiful piece...
VC&A has done a beautiful piece.
They manage to make this complication “poetic” rather than “factual”.
Best, Emmanuel
Best, Emmanuel