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Source Description
The raised dots, called "touch pieces," that are above the Roman numerals functioned much like Braille does today, allowing a blind person to read the time. A sighted owner could also use the touch pieces to check the time in the dark. The internal watch mechanism, the "movement," is made completely from iron, as was typical from the early to mid-16th century. Later, brass and steel parts were increasingly used. The mechanism in Melanchthon's watch from 1530 (Walters 58.17) is similar, though it also has an alarm mechanism. The movement of this watch is stamped with a "C," a reference to its maker, and a pinecone, identifying it as having been made in Augsburg. It is not clear whether the first watches were drum-shaped or ball-shaped.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
30290
label
Portable Drum Watch
core
obj
dtoType
object
citationUrl
pageCount
6
Source metadata
id
30290
sourceUrl
contentType
object
stage
normalized
title
Portable Drum Watch
description
The raised dots, called "touch pieces," that are above the Roman numerals functioned much like Braille does today, allowing a blind person to read the time. A sighted owner could also use the touch pieces to check the time in the dark. The internal watch mechanism, the "movement," is made completely from iron, as was typical from the early to mid-16th century. Later, brass and steel parts were increasingly used. The mechanism in Melanchthon's watch from 1530 (Walters 58.17) is similar, though it also has an alarm mechanism. The movement of this watch is stamped with a "C," a reference to its maker, and a pinecone, identifying it as having been made in Augsburg. It is not clear whether the first watches were drum-shaped or ball-shaped.
provenance
George Robinson Harding, London [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1921 [mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
date
ca. 1520-1550 (Renaissance)
citationUrl
rightsUri
CC0
language
en
genreSpecific
Timepieces, Clocks & Watches
clocks
watches
imageCount
6
pageCount
6
source
import
dimensions
units
cm
width
2.8
height
5
dimensionsRaw
1 1/8 x 1 15/16 in. (2.8 x 5 cm) (h. x d.)
Source extras
inscriptions
[Signature] On movement: C
med
gilded brass case, gilded brass dial, iron movement
creator_ids
6211
collection_ids
REN
exhibition_ids
15
97
3258
Page inventory
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1
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photo
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photo
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photo
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d14585ef57974a3e
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type
photo
mediaId
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type
photo
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6
type
photo
mediaId
7c5e6df11d5b5dc8
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no
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no