VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[DS2006]

Focus! Finish up your WG collection. Don't get sidetracked! No to carnelian and no to blue agate. Get the WG Clover instead. I recall you were considering a diamond bangle or the Clover bangle. I think you will really love the WG Clover bangle. You already have several nice VA bracelets. Bracelets and bangles are very different to me. Go for a bangle next. The WG Clover will go fabulous with your Magic Oynx.

Ohhhh, that's a very enabling post! The clover is very, very tempting! I do need to decide soon, because one more price increase may make me draw a hard line. Seriously, thanks for the redirection!

 

[BigAkoya]

What are group thoughts on new items to be added to the regular line? I hesitate to SO onyx pave 10 or guilloche pave 10 because I really feel they will be added to the regular line in the next couple of years. Similar to Blue Agate, which was added in a second necklace length after a year or two.

I think good odds for an oynx pave 10. How about this as an idea?
I love two of the same bracelets worn together. Would you consider getting a second 5 oynx pave bracelet?
Depending on how much you shorten it, you could fake a 10 temporarily if really wanted the 10 look. As you know a 10 motif spacing is not the same as a 5 motif spacing, plus, you see the clasps. If that doesn't bother you, you could create your 10 look.

Then, if/when a 10 onyx pave comes out, you could get that and wear you two 5s together at the same time.

 

[BigAkoya]

Your collection is gorgeous! I’m such a novice. I didn’t realize that the last pic was the reverse side of the onyx pave. I was about to ask which one that was. Lol. I honestly didn’t know that the back of the onyx motif may not be the same shade of black as the front. I do love this style though. Thank you for showing me. I’m not sure that I can rock the flora ring look but I think the onyx pave bracelet would go nicely with my Cartier pave ceramic Love ring.

I’d be afraid of scratching too. I’m that way with my bangle bracelets. Bought more bangles to stack but never did. I’m hoping the boutique will have good pieces to try on next week.

As @DS2006 mentioned, I have two WG MOP 5 motif bracelets that I wear together. I wear them loose (only two links removed), and they don't get tangled. I really love the look as the two bracelets fit nicely together in their alternating non-motif spots, so it gives the look of a bolder bracelet. Something to consider.

 

[BigAkoya]

Don’t mean to stray into the Rolex/watches category in the VCA forum. Just wanted to mention to @marbella8 @WingNut @BigAkoya that I called the Rolex boutique in Honolulu yesterday and the SA said they have not one watch in the store. He said they get shipment sporadically and whatever come in get sold out right away. Between Rolex and VCA, I’m hoping I won’t come home empty handed. May have to pop by Cartier and Tiffany if all else fails. Last August was the same way, I ended up with a couple of small Tiffany pendants because no one had any stock.

Is it the same at the VCA boutique(s) where you are too?

If I may share my thoughts on a Rolex...
Rolexes are in very high demand, and you will need to order one and wait. It's just the way it is. It's worse than VCA. Rolex purchases are not like 15 years ago when your cousin purchased a Daytona. As FYI, over the past 10 years,
I have purchased half a dozen Rolexes, and not one was an in-stock purchase. I have had to order all of them.

For me, I like to buy my Rolexes at my local AD. You can build a relationship, and you can be sure to get what you want. If you really want a Daytona, I would go to your local AD. There is a super long list for the stainless Daytona, and that is even if the boutique will put you on the wait list. I am sure you've heard stories where people are told they cannot even get on the wait list. Since you already have Rolexes, I am sure you can get on the wait list. If you want a two-tone Daytona, that is a bit easier, but you still have to wait. As FYI, I had to wait a little over two years for my stainless Daytona. Even if you do not want a Daytona but want a GMT (Pepsi / Batman), you will need to order and wait. My point is, it's almost zero odds you can walk into any store and "try on" a Daytona or a GMT which are high demand watches.

If you want Rolex or VCA, I personally would not compromise and go to Tiffany or Cartier just to get something locally on your vacation. You'll still end up wanting that Rolex or VCA piece. Maybe decide what you want and just order it. That would be the best way to secure it. Plus, you won't be wasting your time chasing these items which really are commodity goods that do not need to be purchased in Hawaii.

You can spend the time enjoying your wonderful vacation! There are so many sights to see in Hawaii.
I am sure you will have a great time!

 

[Fabfashion]

Ohhhh, that's a very enabling post! The clover is very, very tempting! I do need to decide soon, because one more price increase may make me draw a hard line. Seriously, thanks for the redirection!

Is there a price increase for VCA coming soon or has one already happened in 2022? I checked back the price on Rolex watches I looked at online last August and they’ve gone up on average of about $1K. I haven’t seen Cartier price increase this year yet but I haven’t followed that closely.

 

[tenshix]

Thank you! Crazy story I wore it to the theater late last year - first time in a public arena and all that. I lost my necklace.

Many calls later with lost and found, the restaurant, the police and my insurance…. Theater Cleaning crew found it on the floor where we had been sitting and returned it.

I have no idea how it fell off. The clasp was in tact, I have long hair and it literally would have had to slip over my hair and off my neck and head

Just so grateful to get it back!

Oh my gosh I’m so glad you were able to get this back!!

 

[Fabfashion]

If I may share my thoughts on a Rolex...
Rolexes are in very high demand, and you will need to order one and wait. It's just the way it is. It's worse than VCA. Rolex purchases are not like 15 years ago when your cousin purchased a Daytona. As FYI, over the past 10 years,
I have purchased half a dozen Rolexes, and not one was an in-stock purchase. I have had to order all of them.

For me, I like to buy my Rolexes at my local AD. You can build a relationship, and you can be sure to get what you want. If you really want a Daytona, I would go to your local AD. There is a super long list for the stainless Daytona, and that is even if the boutique will put you on the wait list. I am sure you've heard stories where people are told they cannot even get on the wait list. Since you already have Rolexes, I am sure you can get on the wait list. If you want a two-tone Daytona, that is a bit easier, but you still have to wait. As FYI, I had to wait a little over two years for my stainless Daytona. Even if you do not want a Daytona but want a GMT (Pepsi / Batman), you will need to order and wait. My point is, it's almost zero odds you can walk into any store and "try on" a Daytona or a GMT which are high demand watches.

If you want Rolex or VCA, I personally would not compromise and go to Tiffany or Cartier just to get something locally on your vacation. You'll still end up wanting that Rolex or VCA piece. Maybe decide what you want and just order it. That would be the best way to secure it. Plus, you won't be wasting your time chasing these items which really are commodity goods that do not need to be purchased in Hawaii.

You can spend the time enjoying your wonderful vacation! There are so many sights to see in Hawaii.
I am sure you will have a great time!

Good advice, @BigAkoya. Much appreciated! I used to enjoy going to boutiques in Waikiki to browse around after little ones finished with their swimming and lunch. I’m not one to spend all day at the beach so it’s surf and sun for the family then the afternoon is just walking about or driving around the islands. I also enjoyed checking out both old favourite restaurants or trying new ones. I’ll see what the VCA and Rolex boutiques have in Hawaii. Even though VCA may not have much in stock, I’m hoping to at least trying things on for and see what sizes I need. Then once I’m back I’ll check in with the local VCA boutique here as well as my Rolex SA.

 

[DS2006]

Is there a price increase for VCA coming soon or has one already happened in 2022? I checked back the price on Rolex watches I looked at online last August and they’ve gone up on average of about $1K. I haven’t seen Cartier price increase this year yet but I haven’t followed that closely.

VCA sometimes goes a few years without an increase, but it is possible they might have one this year. No word yet, though.

 

[Fabfashion]

Thank you! Crazy story I wore it to the theater late last year - first time in a public arena and all that. I lost my necklace.

Many calls later with lost and found, the restaurant, the police and my insurance…. Theater Cleaning crew found it on the floor where we had been sitting and returned it.

I have no idea how it fell off. The clasp was in tact, I have long hair and it literally would have had to slip over my hair and off my neck and head

Just so grateful to get it back!

Glad to hear you got it back. I have a long hair and there was a time my necklace slid off. I think I must have clasped it with my hair entwined into the loop and so it didn’t really close properly. Luckily I noticed when I went to put on my coat before leaving the house.

 

[Fabfashion]

VCA sometimes goes a few years without an increase, but it is possible they might have one this year. No word yet, though.

That’s good to know. Cartier has gone up every year and Hermes too. I’m trying to be thoughtful about which VCA pieces I’d like to start with to complement my regular jewelry. But I can get caught up in the moment. I think I’m too well trained from walking the orange/H side that everything is so rare. Whenever a H SA said we have this so and so in stock, I’d jump at it regardless of the color or combination.

 

[marbella8]

Don’t mean to stray into the Rolex/watches category in the VCA forum. Just wanted to mention to @marbella8 @WingNut @BigAkoya that I called the Rolex boutique in Honolulu yesterday and the SA said they have not one watch in the store. He said they get shipment sporadically and whatever come in get sold out right away. Between Rolex and VCA, I’m hoping I won’t come home empty handed. May have to pop by Cartier and Tiffany if all else fails. Last August was the same way, I ended up with a couple of small Tiffany pendants because no one had any stock.

Is it the same at the VCA boutique(s) where you are too?

I was at VCA in South Coast Plaza and they had a lot of stock actually.

 

[glamourbag]

Ohhhh, that's a very enabling post! The clover is very, very tempting! I do need to decide soon, because one more price increase may make me draw a hard line. Seriously, thanks for the redirection!

DO ITTTT! Hehehe. Its perfect with your other wg items

 

[DS2006]

That’s good to know. Cartier has gone up every year and Hermes too. I’m trying to be thoughtful about which VCA pieces I’d like to start with to complement my regular jewelry. But I can get caught up in the moment. I think I’m too well trained from walking the orange/H side that everything is so rare. Whenever a H SA said we have this so and so in stock, I’d jump at it regardless of the color or combination.

Thankfully, the shortage now at VCA was caused by the pandemic. Before that, you could get any of their regular stock items immediately or very soon. So absolutely don't buy that way (like H) at VCA. It takes a lot of thought to decide on a VCA collection as they have so many beautiful pieces! Some people just collect a few outstanding pieces they love to combine with things they already have. Others begin collecting coordinating VCA pieces that can be worn together. Right now we have to wait on some of our wishlist items to come in, but they will eventually have all the stores restocked!

Just a quick note about pricing. VCA had a price decrease in 2016! They did not have an increase until the fall of 2020! I happened to buy my first VCA piece, a solid yg 5 motif bracelet, in early 2016, so I saw the price go down below what I paid! The price today is exactly what the price of that bracelet was in Feb. 2016. So what VCA does in regard to pricing isn't usually related to what other brands do, thankfully. Sometimes they have pricing adjustments based on currency valuation and that will apply to some countries and not all. Those are usually very small increases.

 

[Fabfashion]

Thankfully, the shortage now at VCA was caused by the pandemic. Before that, you could get any of their regular stock items immediately or very soon. So absolutely don't buy that way (like H) at VCA. It takes a lot of thought to decide on a VCA collection as they have so many beautiful pieces! Some people just collect a few outstanding pieces they love to combine with things they already have. Others begin collecting coordinating VCA pieces that can be worn together. Right now we have to wait on some of our wishlist items to come in, but they will eventually have all the stores restocked!

Just a quick note about pricing. VCA had a price decrease in 2016! They did not have an increase until the fall of 2020! I happened to buy my first VCA piece, a solid yg 5 motif bracelet, in early 2016, so I saw the price go down below what I paid! The price today is exactly what the price of that bracelet was in Feb. 2016. So what VCA does in regard to pricing isn't usually related to what other brands do, thankfully. Sometimes they have pricing adjustments based on currency valuation and that will apply to some countries and not all. Those are usually very small increases.

I like the sound of that about the pricing being the same for the past 5-6 years. DH just tanked up the car and he couldn’t believe how much gas went up amongst other things. So I’m going to tell him about the value for money on VCA. Hehe.

 

[nicole0612]

I think good odds for an oynx pave 10. How about this as an idea?
I love two of the same bracelets worn together. Would you consider getting a second 5 oynx pave bracelet?
Depending on how much you shorten it, you could fake a 10 temporarily if really wanted the 10 look. As you know a 10 motif spacing is not the same as a 5 motif spacing, plus, you see the clasps. If that doesn't bother you, you could create your 10 look.

Then, if/when a 10 onyx pave comes out, you could get that and wear you two 5s together at the same time.

I have memory lapses on this, because I have come up with this idea several times now as I have a tiny neck and 2 five motifs joined are not short on me as a necklace (in any case, I would lengthen them, because I do not wear Alhambra bracelets on my wrist at all). A friend on the forum has listened to this idea 2 or 3 times now, and each time she reminds me of the actual problem. There would be two onyx next to each other on either side since each bracelet has 3 onyx and 2 pave. Ugh. I still may do it, especially if I forget her advice again before the next time I decide to buy a second onyx pave bracelet!