Watch
18th century
Medium
Gold, rose diamonds, enamel
Dimensions
Diameter: 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm)
Classification
Horology
Culture
French, Paris
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Malvina Heller Sontowski, 1921
Accession Number
21.127
Art Historical Context
Step into the opulent world of 18th-century French horology with this exquisite pocket watch by Ferdinand Berthoud, a master craftsman from Paris renowned for his precision timepieces. Berthoud, who served as clockmaker to King Louis XV and the French Navy, blended scientific ingenuity with artistic luxury during the Enlightenment era, when watches symbolized status among the aristocracy. Crafted in the 1700s, this diminutive gem—measuring just 1 1/2 inches in diameter—exemplifies the era's fascination with mechanical perfection and decorative splendor. The watch's case gleams in gold, adorne...