Clock-watch 1685 - 1695

This clock-watch was crafted by Daniel Quare in the late 17th or early 18th century from silver. Note how the clock face, with its Roman numerals and delicate fleur-de-lis, echoes the grand tradition of European clockmaking, a craft deeply intertwined with notions of progress and control over nature. Consider how timekeeping devices have evolved: from sundials, linked to the sun's path, to these intricate portable mechanisms. This movement mirrors humanity’s endeavor to encapsulate and master time itself. The circular shape of the watch is also significant, a symbol of cyclical time, rebirth, and eternity. We find it repeated in rosaries, mandalas, and even the layout of ancient cities. The emotional weight of this object lies in its implicit promise—or threat—of mortality, a memento mori made beautiful, urging us to reflect on our fleeting existence each time we check the hour. The symbols and iconography do not merely decorate; they engage us on a visceral level, reminding us of our place within the vast, unending stream of time.