It is said that this watch was made by the Switz occultist Alfred Hoffman in the 1760s.

The tale of Hoffman has, according to some historians, contributed to the legend of Faust.

Hoffman sold his soul to the Devil in exchange of one minute that the Devil stole when the world was created. Hoffman built the stolen minute into an elaborate silver watch. Time will stop if you start the watch, but the mechanism can only run for one minute. After more than two centuries, no one knows how many seconds is left.

Last known owner of the watch was Harry Houdini.