Watch 1595 - 1605

This watch was crafted by Claude Du Cleron, likely between the late 16th and early 17th centuries. It’s made of gilded brass, with a rock crystal cover. This object shows how concepts of time trickled down into everyday life, even becoming a luxury item. The exterior is intricately engraved, showcasing the maker's skill. Its small size suggests it was meant to be worn or carried as a personal item. The rock crystal cover, a relatively new technology at the time, was polished and shaped with lapidary techniques that required great expertise. This combination of metalworking and crystal work illustrates the convergence of different craft traditions. The watch’s movement, though hidden from view, reflects advanced knowledge of mechanics. It’s a tiny, complex machine, each piece carefully made and assembled. Objects like these reveal the immense amount of labor involved, and the watchmaker’s mastery to create something functional, beautiful, and socially meaningful.