In 1935, Renée Puissant, the artistic director of Van Cleef & Arpels, set out to transform a simple padlock into a luxurious jewelry watch. The result was the Cadenas, named after the French word for padlock. This bold design was a striking departure from the delicate watches typically made for women at the time. It featured a tilted rectangular case (14 millimeters by 26 millimeters), supported by two snake-like chains and a shackle that fastened over the wrist. The Cadenas quickly became one of the house’s most iconic creations.
Since its debut, the Cadenas has remained in continuous production. To celebrate its 90th anniversary, a new version of the watch will be unveiled at Watches & Wonders Geneva. This updated design will feature a stunning combination of pavé diamonds on the shackle and case, accented by baguette-cut sapphires.
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