Watch 1765 - 1775

This pocket watch was made by Charles Coulon in Switzerland, though we don't have an exact date. In the 18th century, the rise of precision timekeeping coincided with the rise of capitalism and colonialism. This watch, with its tortoiseshell case, would have been a luxury item, signaling the wealth and status of its owner. Time, newly measurable and segmented, became money, an impetus to labor. And exotic materials, like tortoiseshell, speak to global trade networks and the exploitation of natural resources. We can look at sources like trade records, auction catalogs, and even literature of the time to piece together the social and economic context of objects like this. By exploring the history surrounding this watch, we can better understand how even seemingly simple objects can reflect the values and power structures of their time.