When applied to a tattoo, revealing the cogs of a watch or clock can represent the complexity of the wearer’s emotions and psyche, all contained beneath the beautiful facade of the watch face. 

The craftsmanship in these timepieces is incredible and the deeper significance that these inner workings hold is equally as interesting, which holds great interest for tattoo lovers with an appreciation for the symbolism of what lies beneath the surface.

3. Eye and Clock Tattoo Meanings

The meaning of a combination eye and clock tattoo is often pieces linking the different meanings ascribed to the passage of time, truth, and elements of life and death.

The eye tattoo design symbolizes truth, protection, and guidance, while the clock is a classical tattoo idea, a powerful symbol of the passage of time, and march towards the finish.

Eye and clock tattoos often utilize elements of a realistic or geometric eye in combination with a stylized 3D tattoo.

4. Clock Face Tattoo Meanings

Clocks started as simple tools to tell time and quickly evolved into intricate works of art and technology. 

Prior to the glowing wall clock and the digital revolution, traditional clock timepieces were the pinnacles of engineering.

The precision and complexity that was involved in creating accurate timepieces (or the architectural splendor of a full-length grandfather clock) prior to the development of digital technology are astounding.

The attention to detail that went into these timepieces didn’t stop at functionality. 

The artistic side of clocks and watch tattoo style has become some of the most beautiful expressions of art for the die-hard tattoo enthusiast.

5. Hourglass Tattoo Symbolism

Clocks, ouroboros, and the infinity symbol. All of these disparate images represent different aspects of the mystical nature of time, however, there is no image more instantly recognizable which is so inextricably tied to time than the hourglass.