Book-shaped Article Made for Duke of
Pomerania Is a Beautiful Triumph of
Metal Engraving and Design.
Two of the most elaborate watches that have ever been constructed
belonged, the one to Queen Elizabeth, the other to Mary Queen of Scots.
Queen Elizabeth's watch was in the form of a duck, with beautifully chased
feathers. The lower part opened, showing a face of silver, with an
elaborate gilt design, and the whole was kept in a case of brass, covered
with black leather studded with knobs of silver.
The Scottish queen's watch was in the shape of a skull, the dial being
introduced where the palate should have been, the works being in the mimic
brain cavity. A little bell struck the hours.
One of the choicest rarities of the Bernal collection was a book-shaped
watch. This curious time indicator was made by order of Bogislaus XIV,
Duke of Pomerania, in the time of Gustavus Adolphus. On the face of the
book, where the dial of the watch is set, there is an engraved inscription
of the duke, and his titles and armorial bearings, together with the date,
1627.
On the back the engravings are also very finely and skilfully executed,
among them being the portraits of two gentlemen of the seventeenth
century. The dial-plate is of silver, chased in relief, while the insides
are beautifully chased with figures of birds and foliage. The watch has
two separate movements, and a large, sweet-toned bell. At the back, over
the bell, the metal is ornamentally pierced in a circle, with a dragon and
other devices, while the sides are pierced and engraved with a complicated
design of beautiful scrollwork.