Episode 69: Interview with William Massena on 16th Century Clocks

One of my absolute favorite quotes from Shakespeare comes from Henry IV Part 1 when Henry V says

Unless hours were cups of sack and minutes 

capons and clocks the tongues of bawds and dials the 

signs of leaping-houses and the blessed sun himself 

a fair hot wench in flame-coloured taffeta, I see no 

reason why thou shouldst be so superfluous to demand 

the time of the day.

It’s hilarious today, particularly to consider Falstaff parading around in flame coloured taffeta, but the history buried in the hilarity is the question of time. Obviously, Henry V seems to think asking about the time of day is superfluous. In a 21st century world where things arrive on time, and we keep our time in our pockets or on our wrists, what was William Shakespeare’s understanding of keeping of time? It is William Shakespeare who is credited with being the first to pen the phrase “watch the clock”, but did he have a clock? 

Here to take us back to the world of sundials, hourglasses, pocket watches, and clock towers all of which were in motion and taking part in a flourish of clockmaking that took off in europe in the 15th adn 16th century is our very special guest, William Massena. 

William Massena is the Founder and CEO of Massena LAB, a collaboration with independent watchmakers to make unique timepieces. He is the Managing Director of TimeZone.com, the world’s largest watch discussion forum on the Internet. William, who has been with TimeZone.com since its founding in 1995, has been a passionate collector of watches from an early age and an active participant in the world of horology as a collector, consultant and auctioneer. Previously, he was the Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director of Antiquorum SA, a leading Horological Auction House. William Massena holds a BS and master’s degree from New York University Stern School of Business. He is a jury member of the GPHG since 2013, a member of the cultural council of the Foundation of Haute Horology and a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers. In addition, William Massena is a Trustee of the Horological Society of New York.