Watch with Hour, Minute, and Second Indicators c. 1815 - 1820

This "Watch with Hour, Minute, and Second Indicators" by Perrin Frères invites us to consider the social implications of timekeeping. During the era of its creation, watches were more than mere instruments; they were symbols of status and power. As personal timekeeping devices became more accurate and accessible, they played a crucial role in standardizing work and leisure. They facilitated industrial capitalism's demand for punctuality and efficiency, deeply impacting the labor force. Yet, access to such technology was far from equitable. This watch, with its gold casing and intricate detailing, speaks to the privilege of those who could afford to measure their time with such precision. The watch prompts questions about who had the luxury to structure their days and who were subjected to the rigid schedules of factories and domestic service. It serves as a poignant reminder that time, ostensibly a universal constant, has been experienced differently based on gender, race, and class.