Watch 1800 - 1815

This intricately detailed silver watch, crafted by Jean François Bautte & Co. between 1800 and 1815, takes the form of a mandolin. The watch's face is concealed within the mandolin's sound hole, and the case is embellished with an engraved scene of a couple seated in a garden, adding a romantic touch to this functional piece of art. The watch, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, is a prime example of the artistry and craftsmanship of the early 19th century.