JERUSALEM - An Israeli museum has recovered dozens of European antique clocks stolen more than two decades ago, including a pocket-watch made for French Queen Marie Antoinette.

Jerusalem's L.A. Mayer Museum of Islamic Art said thieves stole some 100 clocks and watches from its 200-piece collection in 1983. The collection included some of the world most valuable time pieces, mostly from the 18th and 19th centuries

The museum last year received a call from a Tel Aviv watchmaker who had recognized the stolen clocks in a 40-piece collection that a British woman had inherited from her husband and wanted valuing.

After more than a year of negotiations, the woman agreed to hand back the clocks and watches to the museum in exchange for a nominal fee. The museum, which pledged to keep her identity secret, is restoring them before a possible exhibition in 2008.

"After 24 years we have these watches back and it's a delight for everyone," said Eli Kahn, chairman of the museum. "We hope the public in Jerusalem will be able to enjoy them."

Kahn said that while some of the stolen clocks were still missing, the 40 most valuable items had been retrieved, presumably since, as recognizable pieces, they would have been virtually impossible to sell.

The collection features pieces by renowned Swiss horologist Abraham Louis Breguet, including an intricate gold and crystal pocket watch made in the late 18th century for Marie Antoinette, who was jailed before it was finished. She was beheaded for treason.

"The specialty is the mechanical part -- these were not decorated with jewels and pearls, these were watches to be used," said Kahn.

Kahn said the identity of the thieves remained a mystery. He also declined to say how much the clocks are worth.

The clocks are not connected to Islamic Art but were donated by Sir David Salomons, the first Jewish Lord Mayor of London, whose daughter founded the museum in Jerusalem.