Repeater watch and case 1600 - 1682

This repeater watch and case was crafted by Thomas Tompion, likely in the late 17th or early 18th century. The watch face presents a delicate interplay of form and color. Roman numerals, rendered in stark black against a pale backdrop, encircle a central image featuring painted figures. The watch hands themselves, ornate and gilded, cut through the visual field, their curves contrasting with the rigid geometry of the numerals. The watch is an object of time-keeping, yes, but also of representation. The semiotic system at play here is rich. The circular face, a symbol of continuous movement, is juxtaposed with the fixed markings of time. The central image introduces a narrative element. Consider how Tompion has challenged the conventional aesthetics of utility. By embedding artistry within a functional object, he invites us to consider time not just as a measure, but as an experience imbued with beauty and narrative. In this context, the watch transcends its function.