The Rainieri were a famous family of watchmakers from Reggio Emilia. When in 1493 the Venetian Seignory decided to replace the old hammerhead clock in the north-west corner of the Marcian basilica, the Rainieri set to work, building a masterpiece of technique and engineering still working. It is said that, as a reward for his excellent work, he had been ordered to blind his father and son Rainieri so that they would never be able to replicate the work elsewhere.