Watch 1690 - 1700

Curator: Standing before us, nestled in its display case, is an exquisite pocket watch crafted by Thomas Tompion sometime between 1690 and 1700. Editor: My first thought is the sheer elegance and almost overwhelming ornamentation. It's difficult to imagine this as a purely functional object; it feels very much like a statement piece. Curator: Absolutely. Its baroque design speaks volumes about the cultural context of the late 17th century. Pocket watches like these transcended mere timekeeping; they became potent symbols of status and intellectual achievement. Consider the socio-economic implications of owning such a piece in a world where time itself was increasingly commodified and unequally distributed. Editor: That's interesting. It's as though owning the time, through this beautifully sculpted device, signaled some measure of power. But it also raises questions about accessibility, doesn’t it? Who *could* own this? Whose time truly mattered, in terms of historical record and what we now consider "important". What's the history of Thomas Tompion? Curator: Thomas Tompion was one of the most important clockmakers of his time. Examining his work offers insight into the institutional practices of horology and its relation to emerging scientific advancements and technologies, particularly the complex interplay of mathematics and aesthetics during this period. Timekeeping wasn't just mechanical, it became a status symbol. The materials alone--presumably precious metals--show this off as exclusive and inaccessible. Editor: Precisely! I imagine wearing such a work of art served as a means of self-assertion in that period, and a testament to an emerging sense of identity of both watchmaker and the owner. You begin to think about things such as how did gender, race, and class mediate people's access to artifacts that ultimately came to represent wealth and privilege? I see a need for an understanding the ethical responsibilities of art institutions in conserving objects whose provenance involves deep imbalances of wealth. Curator: Indeed. It really exemplifies how an artifact can speak volumes about its time. A great reminder about the complicated relationships of wealth and power! Editor: This has made me see watches with totally different eyes! Thank you for your input.