Cadenas Watch
A 1935 padlock watch designed to read time discreetly.
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Story & heritage
The Cadenas watch was first created in 1935. Van Cleef & Arpels describes it as bold and timeless, with an angled dial that lets the wearer read the time discreetly.
Its distinctive design turns a functional watch into a bracelet object: straight case lines, clasp-like curves, and a padlock spirit that feels unmistakably Art Deco-adjacent without becoming costume.
Materials & craft
The official reference is 18K yellow gold with diamonds and mother-of-pearl. The angled dial is the technical and visual signature, while the clasp-like case gives the watch its Cadenas name and jewelry character.
How to choose & style
Cadenas works best as the single structured bracelet on the wrist. It can dress up shirting and tailoring without looking like a standard watch, and it is strongest when the angled dial is allowed to remain the surprise.
