Watch c. 1709 - 1711

This watch was crafted by William Gib, using a combination of gold and other metals. Look closely, and you’ll see how the case, dial, and movement each demand different skills. The case, formed from sheets of gold, required expertise in metalworking. The dial’s intricate details involve precise engraving. And within, the clockwork represents the pinnacle of technical expertise, each component carefully shaped and assembled. The watch offered its owner accurate time measurement but also announced their status, and their ability to afford advanced technology. It also stands for the many unseen hands involved in the watch's creation, a testament to the division of labor during the rise of industrial capitalism. By valuing materials, methods, and context, we challenge traditional distinctions between design, craft and fine art, and grasp the watch's full cultural significance.