Watch
1810–29
Medium
Gold
Dimensions
2 1/4 x 2 1/4 x 5/8 in. (5.7 x 5.7 x 1.6 cm)
Classification
Watch
Culture
British
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Lucy Moses, 1962
Accession Number
62.146a, b
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite gold pocket watch, crafted by the renowned British firm M. I. Tobias and Company between 1810 and 1829, exemplifies the pinnacle of early 19th-century horology. Measuring a compact 2¼ x 2¼ x ⅝ inches, its diminutive size belies the intricate engineering required for such precision timepieces, which were prized luxury items among the elite. Tobias watches were celebrated for their durability and elegant design, often featuring finely engraved cases that blended functionality with ornamental beauty. Housed in The American Wing of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, this British-made ...