Watch 18th century

This "Watch" was crafted by W.R. Rose, an artisan active in the mid-18th century. A small but potent object, this watch features a white dial with Roman numerals, encased in a gold and green decorative shell. More than a tool to mark the fleeting hours, this watch is a symbol of "Tempus Fugit"—time flies. We see time allegorized through different symbols in works of art, like Father Time with his scythe or hourglass. The impulse to capture the elusive nature of time is an ancient one. Clocks, like this one, become a memento mori, a reminder of our mortality and the preciousness of each moment. It is a potent psychological force, isn't it? The circular face mimics the cyclical nature of life, with hands that are in perpetual motion, forever chasing the present, an ouroboros. This emblem has resurfaced in the collective consciousness throughout history, an eternal return, and a symbol of time's relentless march.