Watch 1825 - 1845

This exquisitely crafted watch was made by the Firm of Piguet & Cie. Consider how the seemingly simple act of telling time could become an emblem of social status. In a pre-industrial world, time was measured by the sun and marked by the sounds of church bells. But, as clock-making became more sophisticated, time became a commodity that could be owned and displayed. An object like this speaks volumes about the economic structures and social hierarchies of its time. The watch’s delicate engravings and precious materials signal wealth and refinement, while the act of carrying it signifies the owner's participation in a culture of precision and punctuality, values that were becoming increasingly important in the world of commerce and industry. As historians, we turn to sources like trade records, social histories, and even literature to understand the full significance of such an object. By understanding the cultural context, we can interpret the watch not just as a time-telling device, but as a symbol of social aspiration.