Van Cleef & Arpels - Galilée

On this first «gyratory» mystery clock, the dial is mobile and appears completely detached from the base. This technical feat has been achieved as follows: rather than being fixed, the contact point between the crystal discs and the movement is mobile; the movement of the hands is constantly corrected in relation to the rotation of the dial; the 12-6 o’clock axis is always kept vertical; the balance of the dial-bear (600 grams) is maintained to approximately 1/lo of a gram. The design of the clock is equally remarkable: the lapis lazuli seems to be encrusted in the rock crystal; a border of sapphires encircles the mother-of-pearl table of the base; the sides of the base feature exceptionally large pieces of ribboned calcedony; and the sculptured bear is highlighted with 2,301 brilliants.