Van Cleef & Arpels
Cadenas
The Van Cleef & Arpels Cadenas bracelet
watch is probably one of the most iconic
timepieces ever made. The Cadenas
was first patented in 1936 and sold
only in 18 carat yellow gold as part of
their current production at the time.
The term ‘Cadenas’ which in French
translates to ‘lock’, was designed in the
mid-1930s and was born as a result of
the passion for jewellery between the
famous jewellery house and the Duke
and Duchess of Windsor. Many unique
designs were created by Van Cleef &
Arpels for the Duchess of Windsor,
which became milestones for their
extraordinary love story.
Similar to many other unique designs,
the ‘ Cadenas’ was custom made by
Van Cleef and Arpels for the Duchess
of Windsor. The Duke of Windsor spent
many hours with Van Cleef & Arpels to
add his personal touch to these gifted
creations and even included secret
messages, numbers and codes that only
they would understand in relationship
to their most sacred memories. These
modifications and commissions often
made it exceedingly difficult to locate or
track these designs in the firms archives.
A platinum and diamond-set Cadenas,
circa 1936, which is identical to the
present lot, fitted with the same dial
configuration and numerals, but with
a less formal colour, was given as a gift
from King Edward VIII to the Duchess
of Windsor. The case is inscribed in a
facsimile of the King’s handwriting and
given to her for their third anniversary.
The watch, once owned by the Duchess
is now currently in the Van Cleef &
Arpels collection. This watch was sold at
Sotheby’s in Geneva in 2011 when it was
included as property from the Collection
of Condesa Vda. de Romanones and
Formerly in the Collection of the
Duchess of Windsor. The Cadenas,
created especially for the Duchess of
Windsor is still in production today,
almost 80 years later.
The original provenance is unknown of the
present watch, however we believe that
it was purchased in New York in the early
1940’s, at a time when the Duke and the
The Van Cleef & Arpels Cadenas watch given to The Duchess of
Windsor as a gift from King Edward VIII.
HK WATCHES_NOV15_284-419_bl_CS5.indd 412
Duchess of Windsor were living at a suite
in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Published
photographs, as seen below of the
Duchess of Windsor, show her wearing a
Cadenas wristwatch on her travels in the
United States in 1941.
What is interesting to note is that the
Van Cleef & Arpels’ serial numbers on
the clasp of the watch is not sequential
to the other examples known that have
appeared at auction from the same
period. It is possible that the serial
numbers may have been intentionally
selected for this piece and the clasp
stamp may indeed have some other
meaning all together. It is entirely possible
that it could be a code but there is no way
to confirm what it may refer to.
The finish on the case back of the
present lot is also different from other
examples known, which is now grained
and not polished. It would appear that
a monogram may have been removed
from the back of the case as there are
remnants of kiss marks or some sort of
script at the top.
The Duchess of Windsor wearing her Van Cleef & Arpels Cadenas
bracelet watch, Baltimore circa 1941.
22/10/15 11:11