Square Mystery Clock Circa 1865

The clocks are referred to as “mystery clocks” because the hands move without any apparent connection to the mechanism, giving the observer the impression that the hand or hands are moving by magic. The first models featured a circular dial with one or two hands, followed by square-shaped versions that made their operation even more mysterious, eventually evolving into oval or scroll-shaped designs.

The clock we are presenting here is a square-shaped model with three glass panes (Series 5 according to the classification of mystery clocks by the famous illusionist, magician, and inventor Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin, born in 1805 in Blois and died in 1871). The rear glass pane serves as protection, the front pane holds a miniaturized timer, and the central pane receives a circular motion from a mechanism housed in the base, which drives the miniaturized timer through an axle passing through an opening in the glass.

Clock made of brass, glass, and blackened wood. Movement with two rectangular plates, lateral anchor escapement, beveled glass panes, painted numerals on the front glass, Bréguet-style steel hands.

Dimensions:
Height: 33 cm
Width: 19.4 cm
Depth: 13.3 cm

Period: Second half of the 19th century

Condition Report:
Clock in good overall condition; the mechanism functions properly. The rear glass has a very minor and insignificant chip in the upper right corner. The clock comes with a double-ended key for winding and setting the time.

Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin, the inventor of the first mystery clock around 1839, continuously improved these clocks, making them increasingly mysterious. He described six series, with the fifth representing a clock with a square dial. Other clockmakers were inspired by Robert-Houdin’s work, such as Théodore Hyppolite (known for a mystery clock with a scroll-shaped dial that underwent lateral translational movement), and watchmaker Cadot, who was mentioned in the TARDY Dictionary for presenting a mystery clock in 1877. (It is worth noting that Cadot was convicted by the court for stealing the invention from Théodore Hyppolite, who held the patent.)

The famous house of Cartier was also inspired by Robert-Houdin’s mystery clocks and created unique works of art that combined watchmaking and jewelry craftsmanship with exceptional elegance and aesthetics.

Shipping:
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