Chronos G austriaco - Pocket lighter - Steel

This item is not a mere lighter, but an exceptionally rare and sought-after collectible: it is a gasoline lighter called "Chronos G" in the shape of a pocket watch, manufactured in Austria and originally patented in 1913 by designer Paul Grünwald (from whom the brand's "G" derives).

This incredible piece of early 20th-century engineering was camouflaged as a classic pocket watch. By leveraging the side button and opening the hinged case, the watch splits in half to reveal the entire internal ignition mechanism, complete with a knurled wheel, flint housing, and the wick for the fuel.

The Case: Made of nickel-plated or alpacca metal, it bears the official and contemporaneous engraving "CHRONOS G" along the profile. The surface shows the classic micro-scratches and a matte patina due to a century of history, but no obstructive dents are noticeable.

The Internal Mechanism: The case opens correctly in a shell-like fashion. The internal gears, the flint push, and the wick tube appear complete, though they exhibit the typical dark oxidation from combustion residues and evaporated gasoline over the years.

In the world of antique pocket watch lighter collecting (more precisely the Pocket Watch Lighters category), the Austrian Chronos G is regarded as a true rarity.

With minimal maintenance and cleaning, the item can also be fully functional.