539 Midnight in Paris

539 opens with the same leather, citrus and rosemary combination that gives Van Cleef & Arpels Midnight in Paris its intriguing, slightly aromatic edge, and this part of the composition holds up reasonably well. The tea and lily-of-the-valley heart feels a touch thinner and less nuanced than the original's quiet, powdery transition, but it still delivers a similar sense of hushed sophistication. Where the difference is most obvious is the base: tonka, incense, benzoin and amber are all present, yet the balance skews sweeter and simpler than the original's smoky, velvety resinous depth, and projection collapses to a skin scent well before the original would still be audible on a scarf. A solid, moodier evening scent for the price, but it does not reach the elegance or longevity of the real thing.