Watch 1571

This gilded brass watch, crafted by the artist known only as W.A., encapsulates a pivotal moment in the understanding and control of time. The engraving on the watch depicts a classical scene, which invites us to consider the watch as more than a mere instrument; it is also a piece of humanist art. Made during the early modern period, likely in Germany, the watch reflects the era's fascination with classical antiquity and burgeoning scientific inquiry. Timekeeping was becoming increasingly important for trade, navigation, and the coordination of social life in the growing cities. The watch’s intricate design also indicates the status of its owner, someone who valued both utility and beauty. To understand this piece fully, historians might consult inventories, trade records, and horological treatises of the time, placing it within a network of social practices, economic changes and intellectual history.