Updating…
Extremely rare, featureful and fine, brass and mother of pearl ‘La Vallée’ 8-day going carriage desk clock, Ref. 811, No. 121 of a limited series of 300, made circa 1982, with engraved by hands Matthew Norman’s movement. Dial signed “Edward Roma”, most likely italian retailer. Let’s try to count complications: time, date, day of the week, musical alarm (by integrated Reuge music box), alarm on a gong, hour repeating on demand, hour and half-hour striking, phases of the moon and moon’s age. Ten!
White enamel dial, with painted black radial Roman numerals and blued steel Breguet hands, aperture above 6 for the phases and age of the moon, sub-dials for the day, date and alarm, small cartouches for the brand and limited edition number.
Rectangular gilt brass (patinated) case, sides and top with glasses, mother of pearl inlaid pillars, mother of pearl inlaid hinged handle, feet and corniche. Dial signed and numbered, movement signed.
The case is made of solid brass and is completely engraved by hand as well as the movement. At that time the cases were lacquered to protect them from oxidation. Since 1990’s LA VALLÉE has replaced the lacquer with gold plating. The Ref. 811 was produced in three different versions and limited to 300 pieces. The standard version had no any engraving, the premium version had the movement engraved by hand and the luxury version (like this one) had the case and the movement fully engraved by hand. The clock is equipped with a music box located in its base that can be played on demand or with the alarm, or can be silenced thanks to the slider on the back side of the case.
The base of the present carriage clock contains a music box which is operated by a lever on the back and is wound underneath the basement, a rarity!
I’ve tried to find any of these deluxe mother of pearl La Vallée versions sold or available anywhere, and found no mentions at all.. So I would like to thank LA VALLÉE Customer Service, for kindly providing us with the above-mentioned information.
Regarded as the finest modern carriage clocks, each carriage clock is made by hand, part by part, by experienced master-watchmakers. Only noble materials are used, and particularly polished brass, which gives the clocks their weight and presence. Matthew Norman was clockmaker by appointment to Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.
Dimensions: 12.5 x 10.5 x 19 cm
Clock is in overall good condition, running and ready to use or gift!