Cruciform Rock Crystal Watch c. 1640 - 1660

This Cruciform Rock Crystal Watch, standing at 2.7 cm, embodies a compelling tension between the sacred and the temporal. David Bouquet, its creator, fashioned this object into a gold-encased cross, a shape laden with religious meaning. Note how the choice of rock crystal for the watch face lends a sense of clarity and transparency. Yet, this very transparency allows us to see the intricate mechanics within, a visible display of human ingenuity measuring time's passage. The gold frame and details offset the crystal with warm opulence, suggesting the value placed on both the craftsmanship and the concept of time itself. The watch cleverly challenges fixed meanings, asking us to consider how faith and science, the eternal and the everyday, can coexist in a single form. It's a symbolic object but also a cultural artifact. The watch invites ongoing interpretation, reflecting how we continually negotiate the boundaries between our spiritual beliefs and our scientific advancements.