Even if you are not an expert on watches, you will be moved by the beauty and mysterious atmosphere of mystery clocks, whose hands appear to float in the air. We will introduce basic knowledge about how they work and the main models.
Learn about Mystery Clocks
What kind of clock is a mystery clock? Let's understand more about its overview and how it works.
What is a Mystery Clock?
A mystery clock is a clock whose hands give the impression of floating in the air. This mysteriousness is where the name "mystery" came from.
Mystery clocks are made by watchmakers over a long period of time, and are considered to require the highest level of craftsmanship, even among the watchmaker's models.
As the name suggests, when it was developed it was a table clock, but in recent years many wristwatches have been released that use the mystery clock mechanism.
How the Mystery Clock Works
A mystery clock has a power mechanism hidden from view that moves the hands and other parts of the clock.
The mechanism is that the hands are attached to two transparent discs, which are operated by a movement built into the base.
In the case of pocket watches and wristwatches, the movement is housed on the side of the case or under the bezel, making them "mechanical" watches that use optical illusions.
History of the Mystery Clock
With a history spanning over 100 years, the Mystery Clock is a testament to the craftsmanship and beauty of the manufacturer. We will introduce the history of the clock from its birth to the present.
Invented by the father of modern magic
The man who gave birth to the mystery clock was Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin, a watchmaker turned magician who was also known as the "father of modern magic."
Inspired by Houdin's creation, Louis-François Cartier, founder of the prestigious French maison Cartier, and the genius watchmaker Maurice Coué came up with the idea. In 1912, they installed this mysterious mechanism in a table clock, marking the beginning of the mystery clock.
Many celebrities are said to have placed orders at the time, and the Mystery Clock that was released into the world at that time is still coveted by watch and art collectors as a masterpiece of art and crafts.
Types of Mystery Clocks
Today, mystery clocks are highly sought after as works of art. Here we introduce the main models that have been owned by many famous historical figures.
Model A
The Model A was Cartier's first mystery clock, created in 1912.
The case features a rotating shaft on each side to operate the hour and minute hand discs, giving it a square shape. The drive system is called the "double axle system" due to its structure.
The design, which features a transparent case that highlights the beauty of the hollow interior and is set on a hard stone base, has been highly praised as a pioneering piece of ultimate sophistication.
Although the exterior is reminiscent of Art Deco, it was created before the birth of Art Deco, so its avant-garde nature is also noteworthy.
Immediately after its release, it gained international fame, with many famous people from around the world purchasing multiple Model A's.
Single Axle
The "single axle" system was born in 1920 as an improvement over the "double axle" system. This system has a structure in which a single rotating axis controls the rotation of the discs that display the hours and minutes.
The single axis of rotation allowed for a single support pillar, greatly expanding the design possibilities. This has been adopted as the basic structure for all subsequent mystery clocks.
The model shown in the photo was made in 1921. The design is based on Art Deco, and the dial boldly features citrine. The single-axis system highlights the citrine's golden color, creating a beautiful contrast with the black enamel.
Portico
"Portico" is a series of six paintings created between 1923 and 1925.
At the time, Cartier's creations had a strong oriental feel, and the portico featured Japanese torii gates, Billiken, lion-dogs and Buddhist statues in its design.
The model in the photo is the first piece in the Portico series, and the smiling Billiken sitting atop a clock holder with a torii gate motif matches the mysticism of the mystery clock and is reminiscent of peaceful gods standing in a sacred place.
It is also known for having been purchased by Gana Walska (1887-1984), a Polish opera singer and renowned horticulturist.
Oriental Mystery Rock
This series of 13 pieces, incorporating Oriental tastes, was produced between 1922 and 1931, and features motifs of real animals, imaginary creatures, and gods such as celestial maidens. It was inspired by the table clocks with movements mounted on the backs of animals seen during the reign of Louis XV and Louis XVI. Like the "Portico" series, it features oriental designs, a specialty of Cartier at the time.
The motifs chosen include elephants, chimeras, and heavenly maidens, and the pieces make generous use of jade, agate, diamonds, and emeralds, making them highly valued as works of art due to their splendid shapes.
The elephant-themed "Elephant Mystery Clock" is the ninth in the series and was produced in 1928. This model, which features a jade elephant, was purchased by the Maharaja of Nawanagar, a princely state in the British Indian Empire.
