Horloge c. 1800 - 1849

This is a pocket watch, made by Wm. Pybus. The watch presents a striking composition of circular forms, enclosed in a metallic case. The face, with its stark contrast between the white background and the black Roman numerals, immediately draws the eye. The numerals are not merely markers of time but structural elements, providing a sense of order. Yet, this order is subtly undermined by the wear and tear, a visible decay that speaks to time’s relentless passage, challenging our structured perception of temporality. The hands, thin and precise, cut through the circular space, dividing it, quantifying it. What we have, then, is a device to measure time that simultaneously embodies its destructive power. A poignant paradox.