Galilea Moon Phase Clock In Depth Review

This is a clock I purchased in the 1990s and it’s still going strong. What a fun way to keep track of the Moon’s phases day after day!

The clock is made in France and the markings on the case say Design Bemard Vuarnesson and Sculptures - Jeux Paris, but otherwise I'm not familiar with the origins on this Galilea (that's right... it's not Galileo) Moon Phase Clock. It's a truly unique part of my collection. I can report that after more than 20 years it's still running problem-free.

Like most folks, I don't worry too much about the phase of the moon on any given day. We no longer plan the harvest based on the phases of the Moon. We don't worry about outdoor activities being affected by how much Moonlight there will be. Most of us also don't think much about the timing of high tide and low tide. For most of us, when we pay attention to the Moon it's because we see a beautiful, celestial object enhancing the beauty of the sky itself. And this clock sitting on a shelf or a desktop gives a gentle reminder of what the Moon will look like when we take a look outside.

The half-sphere design has a rotating cover which automatically advances to cover part of it's 2-D illustration of the Moon. This is how it simulates the look of the Moon's phases. (When there's a New Moon, the clock has a fully-formed, black sphere in 3-D.) On the base of the clock there's a small window for a perpetual calendar dial which also advances every day. The hour and minute hands are exposed, so be careful not to move them without using the small wheel built into the back of the quartz movement.