Napoleon's Mother's Genius Invention

This remarkable "mother watch," crafted for Letizia Bonaparte-mother of Napoleon Bonaparte-represents a rare fusion of artistry and innovation. Created between 1805 and 1809 by the jeweler Pierre Benjamin Tavernier and the clockmaker Basile Charles Le Roy, it features diamonds and pearls arranged for tactile reading of time. Later owned by Matilda Bonaparte, this important object now resides in the Walters Art Museum, preserving a unique chapter in the history of horology and the Bonaparte legacy.