Watch 1810 - 1835

This silver watch was crafted by the Firm of Louis Duchène et Fils, sometime between 1790 and 1820. The watch exists as a product of the French Revolution, a period of immense social and political upheaval. Watches such as this one are more than mere instruments for telling time; they are emblems of status, technological advancement, and the control of time itself, reflective of the Industrial Revolution. The intricate floral patterns speak to a desire to naturalize technology, softening its impact with familiar, organic forms. However, the watch can also be considered as an object of power and control. Consider the implications of timekeeping in an era of colonialism and industrialization. Who had the privilege to own such a device, and whose labor was regimented by its measure? The watch invites us to ponder the complex relationship between luxury, labor, and the social structures that dictate our perception of time.