Come behind the scenes with me to the Van Cleef & Arpels atelier to see how precious metal and stones are transformed into a lush jungle scene, complete with two wide-eyed cavorting Makis monkeys. Van Cleef & Arpels invest hundreds of hours of work into making high jewellery creations such as the Makis Decor watch unveiled at the SIHH this week. I have been fortunate enough to visit Van Cleef & Arpels' ateliers tucked away behind the Place Vendome. Come with me and climb up a flight of stairs and through a thick security door and see the master craftsmen at work. Starting from a water colour sketch, dozens of perforated white gold pieces and loose stones are transformed into a lush jungle scene with two saucer-eyed monkeys clinging on to looping vines and glossy foliage that bloom with exotic flowers.
