Watch
ca. 1820–30
Medium
Gold, enamel, silver
Dimensions
Height: 1/16 in. (0.2 cm); Diameter: 1 9/16 in. (4 cm)
Classification
Horology
Culture
Swiss, Geneva
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Anonymous Gift, in memory of Lady May Fletcher-Moulton, 1926
Accession Number
26.267.75
Tags
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Sculpture and Decorative Arts, this exquisite *Watch* by the Firm of Frères Wiss Menu exemplifies the pinnacle of Swiss horology Geneva around 1820–30. Crafted from gold, enamel, and, it measures a mere 1 9/16 inches (4 cm) in diameter and just 1/16 inch (0.2 cm) high—small enough to wear as a pendant or brooch. Geneva, a global hub for precision watchmaking since the th century, produced such luxury timepieces for elite clientele, blending functionality with opulent decoration. The watch's enamel work, likely featuring delicate floral moti...