Gübelin Turtle Mystery Clock Table
$88,500.00
Gübelin
Crafted 1926
A marvel of horological ingenuity, this rare Gübelin turtle mystery table clock is one of only several known to exist. Commissioned in 1926 by Frederick G. Gruen, one of America’s most esteemed watchmakers, this extraordinary timepiece represents a union between two legendary houses: Gübelin and the Gruen Watch Company.
Resting upon a mahogany base topped with striking black and gold marble, the clock’s silvered dish, marked with Roman numerals, conceals an ingenious secret. When filled with water, a turtle seemingly defies logic, gliding effortlessly in a perfect 12-hour circle while accurately indicating the time. This mesmerizing effect is powered by a concealed eight-day winding movement and a magnet, making it one of the most fascinating mystery clocks ever created.
Accompanied by its original 1926 letter from Gübelin to Gruen—bearing Gruen’s handwritten instruction for its installation in his office—the clock also retains its spare Gübelin turtle in its original box. Displayed prominently in Gruen’s office at the Gruen Watch Company’s Time Hill headquarters, this extraordinary timepiece remained a treasured family heirloom for nearly a century.
29" high x 16" diameter
Provenance:
Collection of Frederick G. Gruen, Ohio
By decent from above, the Gruen family
Private Collection, United States
MSR, New Orleans