Watch

Watchmaker: Johann Possdorfer German

Not on view

The association of Possdorffer with the superb Swiss clockmaker Jobst Bürgi (1552–1632) during a period when both worked in Prague for Prince Karl I of Liechtenstein (1569–1627) undoubtedly provided the opportunity for the transmission of the technical secrets of Bürgi's cross-beat escapement from Prague to Dresden. There, Possdorffer made a watch with a cross-beat escapement, which probably made it one of the most accurate portable timekeepers until the invention of the balance spring. The watch is now in the Grünes Gewölbe in Dresden. The Metropolitan Museum's watch has an ordinary verge escapement, and with an enameled dial that registers hours and half hours only, it is remarkable more for its tiny size than for its accuracy. The rock crystal cover is a replacement.

Watch, Watchmaker: Johann Possdorfer (German, active Prague and Dresden, recorded 1620–24), Case: rock crystal and gold; Movement: gilded brass and steel, partly blued, German, Dresden

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.

Watch, Watchmaker: Johann Possdorfer (German, active Prague and Dresden, recorded 1620–24), Case: rock crystal and gold; Movement: gilded brass and steel, partly blued, German, Dresden
Watch, Watchmaker: Johann Possdorfer (German, active Prague and Dresden, recorded 1620–24), Case: rock crystal and gold; Movement: gilded brass and steel, partly blued, German, Dresden
Watch, Watchmaker: Johann Possdorfer (German, active Prague and Dresden, recorded 1620–24), Case: rock crystal and gold; Movement: gilded brass and steel, partly blued, German, Dresden

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.