Behind The Design Of The Memento Mori Watch

November 21, 2017

Behind The Design Of The Memento Mori Watch

This week a new special edition has been added to our No.253 family, the No.253 Memento Mori Special Edition watch.



Like all of our products, this timepiece has been thought through to the very last detail, and comes with a fascinating Victorian heritage.



Allow us to take you behind the design of our No.253 Memento Mori watch, starting with a little bit of history…


So What Is A Memento Mori?


 Established during the Medieval era and continued up until Victorian times, a Memento Mori was a form of art designed to remind the viewer that death was inevitable. It symbolised the fleeting nature of our time on earth and forced the viewer to consider their own mortality.

The latin phrase, which translates to ‘Remember you must die’ was interpreted during the early ages in paintings and architecture often as winged skeletons and skulls. 



Memento Mori Skull Design

However, it is of course the Victorians who elevated the Memento Mori into extremely beautiful and elaborate objects, and it is those pieces that are the main inspiration behind our special edition watch.



Memento Mori, A Victorian Tradition.



Whilst the Victorians were certainly known for their strange and oftentimes morbid traditions, they were also known to be fine creators of stunning objects. Turning the most gruesome things into true pieces of art.



Thus, it comes as no surprise that the Memento Mori was firmly anchored into Victorian traditions.

These Memento Mori however had a different purpose. It was first a form of mourning, from post-mortem family portraits to jewellery that incorporated pictures or locks of the deceased’s hair, but they also served as an inspiration to live each day to the full. You could carry them on you wrist (like ours) or as jewellery, or perhaps in your pocket as a bizarre little trinket.



The skulls and swirling baroque motifs found on these pieces of jewellery and watches were the true cornerstone for our design.



Memento Mori Victorian Ring
The Camden Watch Company’s Memento Mori.





The Memento Mori Special Edition is more than just a watch, it is a real piece of art. At the centre of the dial on a clean black background, surrounded by black indices with white accents, lies the beautiful engraved reminder of the unavoidability of death.


Camden Watch Company Memento Mori Black Skull Watch
This meticulously engraved motif is repeated on the back and on the side of the all-black 41mm stainless steel case. Available on either a tan or black leather strap, the Memento Mori is a unique timepiece that will not only stay unnoticed, but will be the constant reminder to live life to the full.



Because to remember you must die is to remember you must live.

 

SHOP NOW

Memento more black watch engraved





Also in News

Tom Sayers is Making a Comeback...
Tom Sayers is Making a Comeback...

May 27, 2021

Back in late 2016, we launched what our first ever Limited Edition watch. Based on Tom Sayers, a champion bare-knuckle boxer from Camden, it was a steel No.88 with a black dial limited to 200 pieces, and we loved it.

Produced in four batches of 50, each batch sold out fast, and ever since we have received emails and messages asking us if by any chance we've held any back (we haven't), or even if it was possible buy our very own edition (it isn't).

Continue Reading

COVID-19 Update
COVID-19 Update

March 19, 2020

We are pleased to announce that our stores are slowly reopening. We will be open on weekends only for now and reassessing every week. As it stands, our Camden Flagship and Boxpark stores are open (weekends only) and occasionally on Thursdays and Fridays, but please contact us beforehand to confirm. Our Greenwich store will be open for a trial weekend at the end of the month.

Continue Reading

The History of Punk in Camden
The History of Punk in Camden

December 05, 2019

Camden and its market are ever changing, just as the rest of London is evolving, but somehow you can still feel the echoes of Camden's history. Most notably, and perhaps one of the main reasons people visit Camden, is its fundamental place in London's punk scene. 

Continue Reading