Dameshorloge van goud c. 1790

This gold ladies' watch was crafted by Jaques Castanier, its design replete with symbolic meaning. Note the circular face and the cyclical nature of time itself, reflected in the constant revolution of the hands. The use of Roman numerals is a nod to classical antiquity, evoking the timeless wisdom of the ancients. This harkens back to the sundials of ancient Rome, later gracing clock towers across Europe. Think of how the Ouroboros, the snake eating its tail, symbolizes eternal return, a concept echoed in the watch’s design. Consider how time, once measured by the sun's passage, is now captured in miniature. This reflects humanity's eternal desire to control and comprehend the elusive phenomenon of temporality. Each glance at this watch is a confrontation with our own mortality, a potent reminder of time's relentless march. A memento mori, of sorts. The circle closes, as it always does, inviting contemplation on the infinite loop of existence.