Very rare "Mysterious Circulator Clock".

Very rare "Mysterious Circulator Clock". These were probably first made in South Germany in the late 1700's. The early clocks had only one hand with a watch movement in one end of the hand. In the 1800's a second hand was added, sometimes with a watch movement in one end of the hands. This rare Mystery Clock or Window Display Clock has only one watch movement, on the minute hand. A gear mechanism between the hands turns the hour hand. This watch movement is signed "Central Park". The movement was recently serviced and is running. The glass dial is 22 inches, hangs by a heavy cord. Gold leaf ring around the edge and in the center. Advertising in gold leaf for, "F. W. Crain, Originator". No breaks or chips. Metal minute hand is 13 1/2 inches and the hour hand 10 1/2 inches, both complete and original. I can't say for sure if this clock was made in Switzerland or the US, but suspect the US. Similar clocks are pictured in Derek Roberts book, "Mystery, Novelty, & Fantasy Clocks", and Brittens, "Old Clocks & Watches and their Makers", 6th Edition. See Sotheby's catalog of Oct. 28, 1996, Lot 94, where a similar hanging clock sold for $7,187. See our catalog of Jan. 2001, for 2 similar clocks.