The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-11-02
STRANGE TIMEPIECES.
Freak Watches That Have Been Or
dered by Eccentric Persons.

dered by Eccentric Persons.
One of the most singular watches !
ever saw was set in a baby's skull, SAID a
jeweler. A round hole about the size of
crownpiecs was followed out of the top
and a gilt chronometer was therein
affixed. The skull enameled and deco
rated. finds place on an oak bracket In
a private drawing-room II is said TO
have some romantic association, be this
as it may. the owner values II highly.
TWenty-eight diamonds encircle the watch
and two bands of rubies take the place
OF teeth. 1 believe its value is not less
than 500 pounds.
A certain society lady wears pretty
watch set in a bracelet Of human skin.
The timekeeper has nothing TO recon-
mend IL, being Of orthodox type, but the
girdle that holds t. has q history. Com
posed of the hide of an African chief, the
Wearer guards il with supersutious diff
gence; il brings good luck. she says.
Rumor goes that a favorite actress daily
wears a watch, the chain TO which is
made Of finely twisted strands of the
tanned skin of a notorious murderess.
Losing the second finger Of his LETT
hand, wealthy gentleman paid an en0r-
nous price for an artificial member SD
artisucally manufactured as 10 defy any
but close scrutiny. To hide the Joining
of the stump and dummy he ordered a
ring. I'm which was set a miniature watch,
no larger than a sixpenny piece. This
baby timekeeper is Of keyless action,
keeps excellent time, and its dial IS
.ecorated with blue forget-me-nots and
wild pansies-the hands gided and the
figures painted deep purple. So tiny is
this watch that few notice 10. IL seems
Ike n gem of many colors 10 the casual
eye, and. what is more 20 the point, 1t
hides the Disagreement Of the wearer.
A watch on finger nail sounds like
penny novelette, Believe mo or not,
tell you that a lady who frequently or
ders rings, brooches. etc, at this estab-
lishment boasts a wee chron0meter on
the third finger of her right hand. l will
tell the story exactly as It was related
to me. Trapping ner finger. the nail re-
fused TO grow, and a false one of delicate,
pinky tint was ordered. Having money
to throw away, she sent the false nail
to a miniature matchmaker. and three
weeks later she surprised and shocked her
friends by Offering a hand in greeting,
the nail Of which gave forth a musical
"tick-tick" 1t is said that many Of her
friends copied her by ordering bracelets.
brooches and rings beset with microscopic
timekeepers.
professional strong man always ap-
pears in public with a gaudy belt, in the
center Of which a watch Is established.
The belt IS OF leather and starred with
the medals won during a career Of ten or
more years. The watch WAS given 10 him
by a lady admirer and is studded with
diamonds, rubies and emeralds.
PERHAPS a watch set I'm a human body
mo no frag Xaf
specimen OF timekeeper wanders wherever
its owner wills as the upper part OF the
leg supports the tiny marker of fleeing
hours. Suffering from cancer. hole was
left I'm the thigh after the operation and.
DESTROYS Of filling up space, our hero es-
tablished a watch therein which Is held
in place by a golden chain embracing the
leg, easy OF removal when winding up and
regulation are required.
Watches In scarf pins are not uncom-
mon. and only n few weeks ago we pro-
vided a gentleman with n pair OF cuff
links, tiny watch placed on each fasten-
err
In fancy pins, for ladies' evening wear.
we frequently establish dminutive time
keepers. and rather pretty these look
when the hair IS nicely dressed Watches
on the outside Of satchels and purses
threaten TO become popular. and dainty
chronOmeters set I'm the palms OF gloves
are sported in Paris. We also hear that
tiny watches are TO be installed in the
borders OF handkerchiefs, readily de-
tached when they require the attentions
OF the laundEess. This Is going a little too
far
But we know that many continental
gentlemen OF afiluence are wearing but
tons. every fastener being n timekeeper Of
some kind. And watches are being worn
as skirtpns by ladies. Even garters DO
not escape. A pair OF dainty silver
things were recently so enbellished-the
watches thereon being about the size OF
half-penny. with gem-studded brlms
and gilt faces-IOndon Standard.