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For centuries, mechanical timekeepers had been uncommon and costly, symbols of a person’s wealth and social standing. In 1700, the rich were still the most likely to own clocks and watches. By 1800, timepieces were becoming cheaper and more widely available to a growing middle class that included artisans, shopkeepers, and professionals. |
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An Imported Rarity
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Dial, about 1765; by Isaac Rogers, London.
Gift of
J. Ryerson
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The Ryersons were prominent 18th-century landowners in Brooklyn, New York. Their tall case clock by Isaac Rogers of London featured a fancy blue finish made to imitate the then-mysterious techniques of Japanese and Chinese lacquerwork. The imported clock was a rarity in its time and signaled the family's wealth, taste, and status in colonial society.
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Lantern clock, about 1680; by Joseph Hall, London; brought to Massachusetts by English emigrants from Bermuda about 1700
Gift of G. Norman Albree
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Prized Possessions
A brass lantern clock or a tall case clock with a brass movement would have been among the most expensive items its owners possessed. More important as status symbols than as precise timekeepers, clocks often had only an hour hand. Most people did not require to-the-minute accuracy, anyway. |
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| Tall case clock, about 1700 to 1715; movement and dial by Peter Stretch, Philadelphia |
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Dial of tall case clock, 1700 to 1715; by Peter Stretch, Philadelphia |
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Brass movement of tall case clock, 1700 to 1715; by Peter Stretch, Philadelphia |
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Time on Display
Watches were showy fashion accessories that signaled their owners' wealth and possession of time. A gentleman wore his watch in the "fob" pocket of his breeches. Connected to the watch, but hanging outside the pocket, might be a tassel or short fob chains holding a watch-winding key, seal, or other accessories. Consulting the time required a flourish—removing the watch from his pocket. A lady wore her watch openly on her waist. There was often no difference in size or ornament between men's and women's watches.
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Watch, about 1808; by unknown English maker; owned by Susan Henrietta Williamson
Gift of Louise S. Codwise |
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Pair-cased watch with fob chains, about 1750; watch marked "William Cartwright, London"; owned by James Todd of Boston
Gift of James Todd |
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Pair-cased watch, about 1800; marked
"J. Davis, London" |
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Pair-cased watch with calendar, 1794; marked "Effingham Embry, New York"
Gift of Gertrude O. S. Cleveland |
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Pair-cased watch and chain, 1810-1811; case hallmarked for Birmingham, England
Gift of Alfred D. Smith |
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Watch, 1808; English
Gift of Elton L. Howe |
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Tall case clock with brass movement, about 1799; English movement and dial, marked "Simon Willard"; Roxbury, Massachusetts
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Time for the Middle Class
By 1800, clocks and watches were becoming more widely available and affordable. The tall case clock was the most common clock style. Some American clockmakers made movements from wood instead of expensive brass, reducing the price of a tall case clock from $80 to as little as $18. Most watches were imported: gold ones sold from $36 to $90 and silver ones between $16 and $45. A growing middle class seeking symbols of its new status purchased watches and clocks in great numbers.
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Dial of tall case clock with wooden movement, about 1795; by Eli Terry, Plymouth, Connecticut
Gift of New York University, James Arthur Collection |
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Wooden movement of tall case clock, about 1795; by Eli Terry, Plymouth, Connecticut
Gift of New York University, James Arthur Collection |
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Pair-cased watch, about 1812 to 1825; marked "L. Goddard & Son"; Shrewsbury, Massachusetts |
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| Advertisement, January 16, 1798; from Massachusetts Mercury |
Advertisement, January 27, 1763; from Pennsylvania Gazette |
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