Repeater Watch

Art Historical Context

This exquisite repeater watch, crafted by the French watchmaker Samuel Dupont between 1756 and 1762, represents the pinnacle of 18th-century horological artistry. Measuring just 2½ by 1¾ inches, the piece is fashioned from gold, accented with diamonds and protected by glass. A repeater mechanism allowed its owner to press a button and hear the time chimed in the dark, a practical innovation that combined utility with remarkable technical skill. Created during the height of French Enlightenment-era luxury production, the watch reflects the era’s emphasis on refined craftsmanship and personal adornment. Such portable timepieces were prized status symbols among the aristocracy, often exchanged as diplomatic gifts or tokens of esteem. Its presence in the Metropolitan Museum’s American Wing highlights the transatlantic appreciation for European decorative arts in the 20th century, when it was generously donated by Judith C. Verplanck in 1944. The watch’s elegant proportions and precious materials invite viewers to appreciate how function and beauty merged in everyday objects of the period.