1980s Van Cleef & Arpels Disco Volante made by Gerald Genta

SPECIFICATIONS

Reference   G1524
Year   1980
Diameter   30.0 mm
Movement   Manual
Dial color   Or
Case material   Yellow gold
Bracelet material   Lizard
Accessories

• Original buckle

CONDITION

Case  Very good
Dial  Very good
Movement  Serviced
Hands  Very good
Crown  Very good
Warranty   12 months

Van Cleef & Arpels

Van Cleef & Arpels, founded in 1906 on Paris’ Place Vendôme, is renowned for blending high jewelry with horological artistry. Though primarily celebrated for its enchanting jewelry, the Maison has incorporated watchmaking into its DNA since the early 20th century, crafting elegant timepieces that often conceal their dials within intricate designs. These early jewelry watches, including secret watches and brooch watches, showcased the brand’s dedication to beauty and innovation. Van Cleef & Arpels pioneered techniques like the Mystery Set™, patented in 1933, allowing gemstones to be set with no visible prongs—a hallmark of its most iconic creations. In the 1970s and 1980s, collaborations with legendary watch designer Gérald Genta produced rare and sophisticated pieces, merging bold horology with the Maison’s signature refinement.

In recent decades, Van Cleef & Arpels has elevated its watchmaking through its celebrated "Poetic Complications"—a collection of timepieces that tell stories through intricate mechanical movements and artistic craftsmanship. These watches, such as the "Pont des Amoureux" and the "Lady Arpels Planétarium," combine retrograde, jumping hour, and automaton mechanisms developed in partnership with leading Swiss movement makers like Agenhor. Rather than focusing on technical exhibitionism, Van Cleef & Arpels approaches horology as a form of storytelling—transforming time into a narrative experience. The result is a legacy not defined by volume or mechanical dominance, but by a singular commitment to emotion, beauty, and the art of time.