Wall Clock - VEDETTE – 1970s French Geometric Star Wall Clock – Pop Art / Op Art – Octagonal Wood Design – Domed Space Age Wood - 1960-1970 - Space Age

VEDETTE – 1970s French Geometric Star Wall Clock – Pop Art / Op Art – Octagonal Wood Design – Domed Glass – Quartz

French 1970s Geometric Design – An Eight-Pointed Star

A highly decorative vintage Vedette wall clock, made in France, featuring a remarkable octagonal wooden body, vibrant geometric decoration and an elegant circular dial protected by convex glass.

Dating approximately to the 1970s, this distinctive clock captures the bold visual language of French Pop Art, Op Art and Space Age-inspired decorative design.

Its most fascinating characteristic is undoubtedly the unusual combination of shape, colour and optical geometry.

Design – Geometry, Colour and Optical Effects

The clock features an unusual eight-sided wooden silhouette, with an imposing geometric composition arranged symmetrically around its circular dial.

The dark burgundy-brown wooden surface is decorated with a spectacular eight-pointed star formed by a sequence of overlapping triangular shapes.

Each triangular section combines vivid orange, vermilion red and darker red shades, producing a faceted, almost three-dimensional effect.

Fine white diagonal lines intersect across the surface, emphasising the geometry and creating a strong optical contrast.

The resulting composition recalls the graphic experimentation of 1960s and 1970s Op Art, particularly its fascination with repetition, symmetry and visual movement.

Depending on the viewing angle, the decorative pattern evokes a rotating star, a geometric flower or a kaleidoscopic arrangement of intersecting triangles.

The warm colours, dramatic symmetry and unusual polygonal outline make this clock much more than a simple timepiece: it is a striking example of decorative wall art.

Original Dial and Domed Glass

The circular dial provides an elegant contrast to the angular wooden body.

Its white background features large black Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6 and 9, alternating with rectangular hour markers and a finely graduated inner minute track.

The original black hour and minute hands are complemented by a slender red seconds hand with a distinctive decorative leaf-shaped counterbalance.

The dial retains the original Vedette branding and Made in France marking.

A beautifully curved, transparent domed glass cover protects the dial, held in place by a brass-coloured metal bezel.

This convex glass creates attractive reflections and adds depth to the clock's overall appearance.

The brass-coloured bezel has developed an attractive vintage patina, further enhancing the object's period character.

Vedette – French Clockmaking Heritage

Vedette is a historic French clockmaking name whose origins date back to 1920, when the company was founded by Paul Dentel.

Established in Saverne, Alsace, in 1924, Vedette became associated with the production of domestic clocks and traditional French timepieces.

Throughout the twentieth century, the company adapted to changing technologies and decorative trends.

During the 1960s and 1970s, European clock design increasingly embraced modern forms, strong colours, geometric compositions and new materials.

This particular Vedette clock reflects that decorative spirit, combining a traditional circular dial with an adventurous, colourful wooden case.

The exact factory model reference and designer have not been established.

Movement – Quartz 938, Made in Germany

The original vintage movement has been replaced with a more recent Quartz 938 movement, Made in Germany.

This replacement allows the clock to function while preserving its original decorative appearance.

Importantly, the original hour, minute and seconds hands have been retained.

Technical details:

Movement: Quartz 938

Movement origin: Made in Germany

Power supply: 1 × AA battery

Original hour, minute and seconds hands retained

Time adjustment via the rear setting wheel

Tested and functioning

Rear wall-hanging arrangement

Important: The present movement is a replacement quartz mechanism and is not the original factory-installed movement. The original Vedette dial and hands have been preserved.

Technical Specifications

Brand: Vedette

Country: France

Period: Approximately 1970s

Style: Pop Art / Op Art / Geometric / Space Age-inspired

Type: Wall clock

Shape: Octagonal, eight-sided geometric design

Case material: Wood

Colours: Burgundy-brown, orange, red and white

Decoration: Eight-pointed geometric star

Dial: White, with black hour markers and numerals

Hands: Original

Glass: Convex / domed glass

Bezel: Brass-coloured metal

Current movement: Quartz 938 – Made in Germany

Dimensions: Approximately 27 × 27 cm

Depth: Approximately 3 cm

Power: 1 × AA battery

Condition

The clock is offered in vintage condition, showing signs of age and previous use.

The wooden case and its decorative surfaces present minor marks, scratches, surface imperfections and age-related wear.

The brass-coloured bezel displays patina and discolouration consistent with age.

The glass and other components may present small marks and imperfections, as visible in the photographs.

The original movement has been replaced with a functioning German-made quartz mechanism.

The clock has been tested and is working.

This is an authentic vintage decorative object with preserved original exterior elements and a later replacement movement.

Please examine all the photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the description and illustrate the condition and imperfections of the actual item.

A Decorative Statement Piece

With its bold eight-pointed star decoration, original colour palette and elegant domed glass, this Vedette clock represents a fascinating combination of French vintage character and geometric design.

Its unusual octagonal shape and striking visual composition make it particularly suitable for collectors of 1970s design, Pop Art, Op Art, vintage clocks and decorative wall objects.

An eye-catching piece that combines authentic vintage aesthetics with the practicality of a functioning quartz movement.


Photographs, Condition and Buyer Acknowledgement

By placing a bid, the buyer acknowledges having carefully reviewed all the photographs and read the complete description, including the condition report, measurements, replacement movement and technical details.

All photographs show the actual item offered for sale and form an integral part of the lot description.

This is a vintage object and may display signs of age, cosmetic imperfections, patina, discolouration, minor scratches and other characteristics resulting from previous use.

The clock is sold in the condition illustrated and described.

Functionality and Vintage Components

The clock has been tested and is functioning at the time of listing.

The current movement is a Quartz 938, Made in Germany, replacing the original mechanism while retaining the original hands.

As with all vintage objects, long-term performance cannot be guaranteed, and future servicing or maintenance may be required.

The replacement movement is expressly disclosed and illustrated in the photographs.

Protective Packaging

VMJ Vintage pays particular attention to the secure packaging of delicate vintage objects.

The clock will be carefully protected, with special attention given to the domed glass, metal bezel, original hands and wooden case.

Suitable cushioning materials and sturdy packaging will be used, including double-box protection where appropriate.

Shipping and Delivery Address

The buyer is responsible for providing a complete, correct and up-to-date delivery address through Catawiki.

Shipping will be arranged using the delivery information provided in the official Catawiki order.

Any applicable customs duties, import taxes or local charges are the responsibility of the buyer under the regulations of the destination country.

Shipping to the United States is not offered.

Tracking information will be provided whenever available through the selected shipping service.

Final Buyer Acknowledgement

By placing a bid, the buyer confirms having carefully examined all photographs, reviewed the full description, understood the vintage condition and imperfections, and acknowledged that the original clock movement has been replaced with a German-made Quartz 938 mechanism.