Midnight in Paris is a legendary, much-missed gem that still commands fanatical devotion years after its discontinuation. It's a nuanced, comforting amber-leather dream, though some find it a bit powdery or leaning feminine. A few even reckon it's nothing special, but they're very much in the minority. If you can find it for a decent price, snap it up.

539 captures Van Cleef & Arpels Midnight in Paris's leather-and-incense mood convincingly at first spray, but the tonka-amber base is sweeter and less resinous than the original's velvety depth, and the whole thing wears closer to skin much sooner.