Watch 1645 - 1655

This is an enameled gold watch, made around the 17th century by Pierre Vernede. Consider the intricate work involved in its making. The watch case is divided into small compartments, each filled with vitreous enamel, a glassy substance fused to the metal through intense heat. Notice the delicate floral patterns, typical of the period. The translucent lid reveals an enameled design beneath, a testament to the value placed on beauty and refinement. Creating such an object required a high degree of skill. There are the goldsmithing and enameling trades, skills honed over generations and passed down through apprenticeships. These skills are just as important to understanding the artistry as any aesthetic quality. Objects like this existed within a context of luxury and power. They were status symbols, reflecting the wealth and taste of their owners. So the next time you glance at your watch, consider the long history of timekeeping, and the artistry that has gone into marking its passage.