Watch 1635 - 1655

This is a silver and gilt watch made by Henry Grendon around 1640. The mid-17th century was a period of immense social and scientific change, with the elite newly fascinated by scientific instruments like this one. Consider, then, what it meant to own such a piece. Clocks had previously been heavy fixtures, anchored to walls or town squares. Personal watches were a luxury, demonstrating the owner’s wealth and sophistication. To carry time on one's person was a symbol of power, reflecting the increasing emphasis on controlling and measuring the natural world. Furthermore, the watch’s intricate design speaks to the values of the time. It suggests the owner's appreciation for craftsmanship, and the ornamentation hints at a desire to display status through artful objects. The watch acts as a lens through which we can consider the intersections of science, class, and identity in the early modern period.