After an illustrious career spanning over 20 years, with more than 15 of them with Van Cleef & Arpels and a transformative tenure as CEO of Jaeger-LeCoultre, Catherine Rénier has come full circle.
As she succeeds Nicolas Bos after a decade of stewardship, she brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective. At the Van Cleef & Arpels watchmaking atelier in Meyrin, Rénier expressed her joy at returning to her roots.
“The maison has maintained a consistent approach to its inspiration, despite its development and expansion,” she remarks, her voice filled with pride and nostalgia. “I feel like I’m coming home to a brand I know well and that has stayed close to its identity.”
Her words echo powerfully against the soft hum of artisans and watchmakers at time-worn wooden benches.
In her previous role, Rénier advocated for preserving rare artisanal skills through apprenticeship programmes and partnerships with art foundations. She believes this mission aligns naturally with Van Cleef & Arpels: “Protecting craftsmanship in both watchmaking and jewellery design is essential for the sustainable future of the maison.”
This commitment to heritage has also been demonstrated by initiatives such as de Mains en Mains and L’École, School of Jewelry Arts. With the support of France’s Ministry of National Education, de Mains en Mains offers young talents a rare glimpse into the world of jewellery craftsmanship.
L’École, School of Jewelry Arts protects jewellery savoir-faire for future generations. With campuses in Paris, Dubai, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and soon Japan, it has become a global forum for exhibitions, classes, and seminars celebrating jewellery culture.
Van Cleef & Arpels also has an enamelling school where artisans learn this intricate technique over two years, ensuring the survival of these skills. “These decisions and investments are very meaningful and significant to me,” Rénier shares.
Her vision for the future is clear: “I see love in the air with our creations. I want the maison to continue to enchant.”
In a world that seems to spin ever faster, she argues that it is vital to stretch the limits of creativity. Through this drive, the brand explores novel modes of storytelling, whether through the kinetic poetry of automatons or through creative complications that challenge traditional methods of telling time.
The CEO points to the Extraordinary Objects collection, an ultra-precious line of table clocks that embodies Van Cleef & Arpels’ breathtaking interpretation of time. First introduced in 2017 with the Automate Fee Ondine, a show-stopping gem-set table clock which took seven years to develop, these exquisite pieces represent an inspired collaboration with automaton maker François Junod.
As anticipation builds for Watches & Wonders on 1 April, the house promises a fresh take on themes close to its heart: romance, fairy tales, and the boundless realm of possibility.
“The Extraordinary Objects exemplify Van Cleef & Arpels’ blend of technical expertise and high jewellery craftsmanship. We use jewellery to explore our connection to nature and culture—the vibrant flora and the magical realm around us.
“This same language appears in our watches. These common threads of expression now evolve further with the art of mechanics and automata, opening up entirely new avenues for storytelling,” says Rénier.
In response to questions about her leadership style, Rénier remains modest. “I always believe this is a better question for the team to discuss,” she offers, emphasising the power of collaboration.
As she sees it, the best pieces come to life through collaboration, combining skills to create a unique blend of creativity and execution.
An approach like this is more than a business model; it is a fundamental aspect of Van Cleef & Arpels’ identity that extends into every interaction.
Rénier’s passion for the house is unmistakable, and her mission is clear: to continue crafting timepieces that are not just instruments of time, but vessels of emotion, storytelling and artistry.
Journey into the enchanting world of Extraordinary Objects here.
