By Harvey Stein
February 12, 2012, Updated September 11, 2012
In 1983, half of a donated collection of incomparable timepieces was stolen from the Museum for Islamic Art in Jerusalem, including a watch made for Marie Antoinette but never worn because “she was executed before she could enjoy it,” say curator Rachel Hasson.
Over 100 incomparable watches and clocks are on show in Jerusalem.
It took 24 years to track down 100 of the 110 stolen pieces, stored by the thief in safes in France, Holland and Los Angeles. “It is a miracle, after 24 years, to receive such a collection,” says Hasson.