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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Hourglass timer

De Beers Diamond Hourglass

Partially verified

This limited-edition hourglass timer is signed by De Beers and Louis Glick & Company, dated circa 2000. Constructed from acrylic and brass plated in 24-carat gold, the cylindrical capsule suspends over 2,000 rough diamonds inside a silicon fluid, giving an estimated timer duration of 10 to 11 minutes. The instrument stands 14.8 cm high with a gross weight of 760 grams. It is accompanied by a stand, an illuminated base, and a dark blue presentation case.

Front view of the De Beers diamond hourglass inside its open presentation case
Front view of the De Beers diamond hourglass inside its open presentation case — Christie’s. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
onlineonly.christies.com
Category
Clock · Hourglass timer
Maker / attribution
De Beers and Louis Glick & Company
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
53
Source-reported date
circa 2000
Country
Not established

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Physical Configuration

The object is a vertical cylindrical hourglass assembly characterized by a transparent central vessel. This core is held between two circular plates, linked by four pillars, creating a defined structural frame.

The instrument measures 14.8 cm in height with a gross weight of 760 grams. The structure is described as brass plated in 24-carat gold and acrylic.

Evidence for this section
  • “Vertical cylindrical hourglass supported by four polished gold-plated pillars between stepped circular top and bottom plates.”
  • “14.8 cm high”
  • “Gross Weight: 760 grams”
  • “Brass timer plated in 24 carat gold (stated in manual)”
  • “Limited Edition gold-plated and acrylic hourglass”

Functional Mechanism and Contents

The internal timer mechanism involves the movement of over 2,000 rough diamonds through a silicon fluid. This provides an estimated timer duration of 10 to 11 minutes.

The hourglass is accompanied by a battery-operated illuminated base. It is noted that this base is not currently working.

Evidence for this section
  • “suspending over 2000 rough diamonds in a silicon fluid”
  • “duration of timer approximately 10-11 minutes”
  • “the battery operated illuminated base is not currently working”

Identity and Presentation

The item is attributed to De Beers and Louis Glick & Company. Christie's lists a production date of circa 2000.

The object includes a presentation case featuring two hinged doors and an interior recess. The exterior of the case bears the inscription 'DE BEERS A DIAMOND IS FOREVER'.

Evidence for this section
  • “signed De Beers and Louis Glick & Company”
  • “circa 2000”
  • “Dark blue presentation box features two hinged doors, an interior display recess, and the front inscription 'DE BEERS A DIAMOND IS FOREVER'.”

Open research questions

  • Are the signatures referenced in the catalogue physically legible on the item?
  • What specific information regarding the 24-carat gold plating is contained within the referenced user manual?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for De Beers Diamond Hourglass
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
ContentsOver 2,000 rough diamonds in silicon fluid“suspending over 2000 rough diamonds in a silicon fluid”
SignaturesDe Beers and Louis Glick & Company“signed De Beers and Louis Glick & Company”
Height14.8 cm“14.8 cm high”
Gross Weight760 grams“Gross Weight: 760 grams”
Timer DurationApproximately 10–11 minutes“duration of timer approximately 10-11 minutes”
MaterialsBrass timer plated in 24 carat gold and acrylic“Brass timer plated in 24 carat gold (stated in manual)”

Visible details

  • Vertical cylindrical hourglass supported by four polished gold-plated pillars between stepped circular top and bottom plates.
  • Transparent central cylinder contains descending rough diamonds drifting through fluid.
  • Dark blue presentation box features two hinged doors, an interior display recess, and the front inscription 'DE BEERS A DIAMOND IS FOREVER'.

Research qualifications

  • Christie's condition report notes that the battery-operated illuminated base is not currently working.
  • Makers' signatures stated in cataloguing are not clearly legible in this photograph.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

DE BEERS DIAMOND HOURGLASS, | Christie’s

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record 76491f30eb

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.