Van Cleef & Arpels Domino Mahogany Travel Watch from 1950s

The Van Cleef & Arpels Domino Travel Watch case is crafted from rich mahogany wood, a highly unusual material and design, giving the piece a warm, tactile elegance that sets it apart from conventional precious metal timepieces. The design is inspired by the playful geometry of a domino, often reflected in the shape of the artifact, which subtly nods to the Art Deco influences still lingering in Van Cleef & Arpels’ post-war creations. Van Cleef released a re-edition of this watch in the 1990s powered by a quartz movement, the present example is the original creation. Inside, the watch houses a old manual-winding Swiss FE55b21 movement. As a pocket watch, it represents an era when timekeeping was still deeply personal and often bespoke—especially when created by a maison as revered as Van Cleef & Arpels.