Twee onderdelen van een herenhorloge c. 1780

These two watch parts, made by Joseph Fly, consist of steel and brass meticulously shaped into delicate forms. Notice the contrast: one, a functional wheel with three spokes, radiating from a central hub. The other, an elaborately pierced and engraved plate, its surface alive with swirling foliage and geometric patterns. The wheel speaks to the precision engineering required to keep time, while the decorative plate is all about luxury and status. Brass lends itself to such surface embellishment, achieved through skilled chasing and engraving. Both objects would have been made by hand, relying on specialized techniques. These parts represent the broader context of early watchmaking, a combination of scientific innovation, craft skill, and conspicuous consumption. The decorative aspect elevates the watch from mere instrument to a symbol of wealth. The immense amount of labor that went into the process is also worth considering. These watch components invite us to consider how materials, making, and social context are intrinsically linked.