Repeater watch 1670 - 1685

This exquisite repeater watch was made by Johann Wutky, an artisan active in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The watch, crafted from gold, presents an intriguing microcosm of social values in its time. Consider the cultural significance of timekeeping in the 17th century. The precision and luxury materials evident here suggest an object intended for an elite clientele, a class that benefited most directly from the emerging capitalist economy and its emphasis on schedules and productivity. The intricate decoration, with its floral motifs and avian imagery, speaks to a broader cultural fascination with the natural world. The repeater function, which audibly chimes the time, underscores the practical need for accurate timekeeping. Historical research into the horological industry can illuminate the technological and economic factors that made such timepieces possible. By examining trade routes, guild records, and sumptuary laws, we can better understand the social matrix in which this watch was not only produced, but circulated, used and valued.