Calendar watch
The concentric chapter rings of this unusual dial indicate the time of tides (presumably at London Bridge), mean solar time (I-XII), the age of the moon in its monthly cycle (1-29 1/2), and the day of the month (1-31). The moon's phases can be read though the circular aperture in the center disk. The February 1661 issue of Kingdoms Intelligencer, a newspaper published by the English parliament in opposition to the king, reported the loss of a comparable watch by Alcock.
Artwork Details
- Title: Calendar watch
- Maker: Watchmaker: Thomas Alcock (recorded working 1630, Clockmakers’ Company 1632, died before 1688)
- Date: ca. 1650
- Culture: British, London
- Medium: Outer case: leather-covered silver with silver piqué work; Inner case: silver; Movement: gilt brass, steel, partly blued, and silver
- Dimensions: Diam. 1-3/4 in. (4.4 cm)
- Classification: Horology
- Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
- Object Number: 17.190.1470
- Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Clockmaker: Joseph Knibb (British, 1640–1711)
ca. 1680–85
Watchmaker: Thomas Tompion (British, 1639–1713)
ca. 1680
Clockmaker: Thomas Tompion (British, 1639–1713)
ca. 1677–80
James Cox (British, ca. 1723–1800)
1766
I H (British, mid–late 17th century)
1675–76
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.