The first English domestic timepieces date from about 400 years ago. In earlier times the only timepiece in a settlement might well have been the church clock. Some complicated ones still exist in dusty towers. With a clashing of bells they announced curfews and early warnings to alert marketmen and milkmaids, gardeners and goosegirls. Before [...]
The Rococo style is replaced by Classicism in the 1760s, it is characterised by serene and austere forms and symmetrical design. Flower garlands, classical vases and pearl framing are elements of new ornamentation that can be traced in the decor of the watch made by Danish master Sicers.
In the 1730s, the Rococo style dominated all kinds of art: applied art in particular. The rich fantasy of the jewellers working in this intricate style was first and foremost demonstrated in the variety of materials they used. Watches were made of gold, silver, mother-of-pearl and semi-precious stones. Their surface was stamped with fanciful patterns, [...]
In the last quarter of the 17th century they began to use a spiral spring in the watch mechanism, which changed its form: it became more concave, onion-shaped.
That was also the time when special cases were made to carry the watches, and greater became the part played by goldsmiths.
Antique timepieces show very well how masters [...]
Some timepieces, such as sun-dials and water-operated watches were known to people from time immemorial. Smaller individual timepieces became possible only after the running spring was invented. It was at the beginning of the 16th century that Peter Heinlen from Nuremberg made several spring clocks. Soon they began to be produced in Augsburg and [...]