Horloge 1786 - 1787

This "Horloge" was crafted by In. Curtis from gold, an object that not only tells time but also whispers of its bearer's status. Pocket watches like these weren't mere tools; they were badges of honor, symbols of a certain class and access. In a world increasingly governed by schedules and industry, owning such a device signified that your time was valuable. Look at the intricate designs etched onto the gold casing, how it transforms a simple instrument into something precious. But let's think, too, about who was left out of this picture. Whose labor went into mining the gold, crafting the delicate mechanism, and enabling a select few to measure their days with such precision? It’s an object of beauty, certainly, but it also reflects the inequalities inherent in societies then, and perhaps, even now. It makes you wonder about the stories of those whose time wasn't their own.