Repeater watch 18th century

Editor: Here we have an 18th-century "Repeater Watch," crafted in silver and metal, residing at the Met. It has an intricate face. The decorative flourish is captivating. I find myself wondering how it reflects the priorities and the taste of its time. What aspects stand out to you? Curator: Oh, it sings to me of secret conversations! Imagine, this piece, crafted probably by William Webster, whispers time in your pocket. Think of the hands that held it, the plots overheard, all marked by this ticking heart. See how the decorative-art elements compete with the practical function! Editor: Right! It’s so ornate; the function almost feels secondary. It's both a tool and a treasure. Curator: Precisely! It makes you wonder about the role of time itself then, doesn’t it? Was time measured precisely, or displayed decoratively? What do the repetitive, almost floral elements convey? To me, they hint at cycles, rituals and possibly an obsession to capture Time. Editor: The idea that they are trying to capture time physically. Curator: Indeed, what do you think about how "ancient" and "decorative-art" categories can converge? Can utility transform into artistic value? Does this utilitarian "sculpture" become art merely by the passage of centuries? Editor: That’s a head-spinner. Time affecting our interpretations of time-telling. Amazing. It makes you look closer, right? Thanks! Curator: Absolutely. Time transforms everything, especially how we *see*. Until our next viewing!