Watch 1800 - 1815

This watch, crafted by the Firm of Markham, Marwick et Marko, encapsulates time itself, but also something more profound. The face is inscribed with numerals, each marking a segment of our lives, a symbolic partitioning of existence. The watch's circular form, an unbroken ring, echoes the ancient symbol of the Ouroboros—the snake eating its own tail—representing cyclicality, eternity, and the perpetual return. The relentless turning of the hands reminds us of the ceaseless movement of time, a theme resonant through countless eras, from the hourglasses in vanitas paintings to the ticking clocks in surrealist dreamscapes. Consider how this contrasts with the sundials of antiquity, marking time by the sun's passage. Here, time is mechanized, measured with precision, almost wrested from nature. The anxiety of time's passage is a powerful force, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. This anxiety manifests in myriad forms across art history, as seen in memento mori and allegorical depictions of mortality. The image of the watch is therefore not only an object of utility but also a potent symbol, an echo of humanity’s enduring dance with time and mortality, resurfacing through history.