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Pendant Watch

 (French, act. 1620)
Dateca. 1620
MediumGold, rock crystal, and enamel
Dimensions2 5/8 x 1 9/16 x 1 1/16 in. (6.6 x 3.9 x 2.8 cm)
Credit LineBequest of Winthrop Kellogg Edey, 1999
Accession number1999.6.18
Commentary

By about 1580, the drums of the first portable timekeepers had evolved into more convenient pendant watches that could be worn on a chain suspended around the neck. However, they were unreliable and valued primarily as luxury items until 1675, when the balance spring was intro­duced. With its rock crystal case and cloisonné enamel decoration, this early French watch is especially rare. Nothing is known of C. de Lespée, whose name appears on the movement.

Source: Vignon, Charlotte. The Frick Collection Decorative Arts Handbook. New York: The Frick Collection/Scala, 2015.

Not On View
Front view of pendant watch with an enamel dial
Dutertre
ca. 1765
Frontal view of Pendant Watch with enamed dial framed in gilt bronze
Chavannes le Jeune
ca. 1660
Front view of Pendant Watch with enameled polycrhome dial decorated in the center with an image…
Henry Arlaud
ca. 1685
Front view of Double-Dial Desk Watch Showing Decimal and Traditional Time
Abraham-Louis Breguet
ca. 1795–after 1807
Front view of Pocket Watch with enamel dial set in a case of gold
François Beeckaert
1750–55
Front view of watch with enamel dial in a gilt bronze case
Thomas Mudge
1757
Front view of Pocket Watch with enamel dial
Julien Le Roy
ca. 1750
Front image of Pocket Watch with Tourbillon showing the dial
Abraham-Louis Breguet
ca. 1820
Small enamel sculpture of the Christ child in a blessing
possibly 17th century or 19th century
Oil painting of standing man wearing a black suit
John C. Johansen
1943
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