Watch 1815 - 1845

This watch was made of silver by the Firm of Alliez, Bachelard et Terond Fils, sometime between 1824 and 1834. Just look at the intricate detail of the chasing and engraving on the case. It is a marvel of skilled handwork. Consider the labor required to produce such an object. Silver chasing involves carefully hammering the metal from the reverse side to create a relief design, while engraving requires precisely incising lines into the surface. These are time-intensive processes. The value of this watch was not just in the precious material, but in the hours of highly skilled labor invested in its creation. In an era defined by nascent industrialization, this watch represents a bridge between handcraft and the burgeoning world of mass production. It reminds us of the social and economic context in which such objects were made, a time when the artistry of the hand was still highly valued.