BS: Antique Solid Glass Pocket Watch ?

Subject: BS: Antique Solid Glass Pocket Watch ?
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 28 May 08 - 06:40 PM

Any of you old-timers (or whippersnappers) ever see an (apparently) ornamental solid glass pocket watch? It was give me by an uncle who was born in the 1800s. It was apparently painted gold at one time. My (great) uncle thought it was given to a family member by a traveling snakeoil salesman, and that these were shown to customers as a "premium" you'd get if you bought the product. He also said the paint was worn off by a younger sibling who gummed it while teething. Anyway its solid glass so it never held anything. Still has some gold paint remaining. Apparently had a "bow," (that's the part you clip your chain onto) but that's gone missing. I've consulted various antique dealers, other older relatives, google the daylights out of it and just can't find any reference. Anybody?

Subject: RE: BS: Antique Solid Glass Pocket Watch ?
From: Gurney
Date: 28 May 08 - 07:48 PM

A lens made to look like a pocketwatch?

Subject: RE: BS: Antique Solid Glass Pocket Watch ?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 May 08 - 08:16 PM

Any marks or names anywhere (including the movement)?

Subject: RE: BS: Antique Solid Glass Pocket Watch ?
From: Bill D
Date: 28 May 08 - 09:30 PM

Like this?

My father had this in a drawer. I had seen in when I was a kid, but never asked what it was. I remember trying to see how it opened, then wondering why they made it with no way to open it.

I guess I'd also appreciate any info., since mine is in pretty good shape.

Subject: RE: BS: Antique Solid Glass Pocket Watch ?
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 28 May 08 - 10:14 PM

Not a lens. Besides it was painted gold when new. No marks or names anywhere. And yes, Bill D., that's it exactly! Right down to the same pattern. Mine originated (or at least came into our family) in southern Illinois. How about yours?

Subject: RE: BS: Antique Solid Glass Pocket Watch ?
From: Bill D
Date: 28 May 08 - 10:25 PM

Mine was 'perhaps' my grandfather's, since I also have his real pocketwatch from the late 1890's or so. I really cannot tell you who had it...I suppose these were common at one time....maybe to fake a watch when worried about theft. I am just guessing.

Subject: RE: BS: Antique Solid Glass Pocket Watch ?
From: GUEST
Date: 28 May 08 - 10:41 PM

Should have mentioned the size. It's two inches in diameter (excluding stem and crown), just like a real pocket watch. Took another search break before posting this and look what I found:
http://www.geocities.com/skm46morris/Watches.htm
You'll have to scroll down a ways to see it. But there's a story that explains these that is somewhat similar to my Uncle Raymond's explanation. This time I googled "pocket watch made of glass" instead of just "glass pocket watch."

Subject: RE: BS: Antique Solid Glass Pocket Watch ?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 29 May 08 - 02:30 AM

I bet there were a lot of them at onetime, then salvador dali started the fashion of taking a blowtorch to them.

Seriously though, that sonds an interesting artefact. have you thought of photographing it and e-mailing the pictures to Sotheby's.