Discover The Precision of Timekeeping: 19th-Century Clocks in the Royal Collections Exhibition

This exhibition showcases a distinguished group of 19th-century clocks from the Royal Collections, acquired by Spanish monarchs Ferdinand VII and Isabella II. It highlights their aesthetic evolution, technical innovations, and the diverse models produced by renowned clockmakers.

The Royal Collections hold a significant group of clocks acquired by Spanish monarchs Ferdinand VII and Isabella II to adorn royal salons and regulate court life. These timepieces reflect the technical advances and aesthetic diversity of the 19th century, showcasing remarkable craftsmanship from renowned clockmakers such as Ferdinand Berthoud, John Ellicott, Pierre Jacquet-Droz, Lépine, Santiago James Moore French, and the Brocot family. The exhibition delves into the historical context of these acquisitions, detailing how monarchs expanded and redecorated their collections following periods of loss. It further explores the dissemination of clock models through mass production and World's Fairs, and the artistic styles that influenced their design, from Neoclassical and Romantic to the eclectic Second Empire. The detailed descriptions cover the "Paris type" movement, striking mechanisms, and the development of marine chronometers crucial for navigation.

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 8 pm. Sundays and Bank Holidays from 10 am to 7 pm. Admission to the Royal Collection Gallery and temporary exhibitions is included with entry to Plaza de la Armería.