Watch
ca. 1612–50
Medium
Case: rock crystal, gold, enamel
Dimensions
Overall: 1 1/4 × 1 1/8 in. (3.2 × 2.9 cm)
Classification
Horology
Culture
French, Rouen
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Accession Number
17.190.1594
Art Historical Context
This exquisite pocket watch, crafted by the French horologist Noël Hubert of Rouen around 1612–50, exemplifies the pinnacle of 17th-century luxury horology. Housed in a diminutive case measuring just 1¼ × 1⅛ inches (3.2 × 2.9 cm), it features rock crystal for its translucent clarity, paired with gleaming gold and translucent enamel. Rouen, a hub for enamelwork during this period, produced such marvels for the elite, blending precision engineering with jewelry-like artistry. The watch's opulent materials highlight the era's fascination with scientific innovation and ostentatious display under ...