It appears that the memento mori watch identified as belonging to Mary Queen of scots and the story attached to it that I posted about earlier are incorrect. 'The Seaton Watch' as it is known is actually the one in the illustration below
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| This etching shows a watch commissioned by Mary Queen of Scots in the 16th century. The case is opened by dropping the under jaw and the watchwords are in the cranium. It is believed Mary gave this watch as a gift to Mary Seaton, one of her maids of honor. The skull is of silver gilt and is engraved with lines of Horace, figures of Death with his scythe and hourglass, Adam and Eve, and the Crucifixion. |
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| one can see how the confusion might arise similar but different |
You can find what appears to be the correct story of the Seaton watch HERE on the Coastconfan blog including a thorough 1850 write up
All goes to show how one must be careful with information from the World Wide Web!
The other watch is none the less a beautiful thing. I just prefer not to continue perpetuating an untruth.Both stories are told you can decide which one you believe or like best.I will just admire both for the craft and beauty of these objects
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