A history of watches – From the first time-piece to space age wonders
A watch is a small clock that's worn either on the wrist or attached to one's clothing with a chain, nothing more - nothing less. In today's busy world, it's difficult to imagine life without wearing a wristwatch. Here's a brief history of the wristwatch, from the very first mechanical timepiece and when jewellers began to sell Rolex watches items to today's space age wonders.
Pre-twentieth Century
Before the watch was invented, people used the sun and moon and sundials or water clocks to tell the time. However, it wasn't until the 13th century that the first mechanical clock was created. Fast-forward 300 years and we have the very first spring-powered clock, which was the first step to creating the portable watch. The first recorded 'clock-watches' were worn around the neck or fixed to one's clothes. They were large and heavy and only had an hour hand. They needed to be wound twice a day and were very inaccurate so were really only worn as jewellery.
In the 1600s the watch became smaller and shaped more like today's pocket watches. At this time, watches progressed to being carried in pockets rather than worn around the neck. Glass was first used to cover the watch face in the early 1600s when watch fobs were also introduced. At this time, the watch was set and wound using a key. Watches at this time were mechanical and powered with springs or balance wheels.
As watches became more accurate from 1680 onwards, the minute hand (and then the second hand) was added and the real design innovations began. In 1760 the 'going barrel' mechanism was developed and chronometers and more complicated watches were invented.
In the late 1700s and 1800s, a number of different escapement mechanisms were invented and jewellery bearings were first used, making watches more reliable, slimmer and more stylish. Watch manufacturing changed to a more mass-produced assembly towards the end of the 1800s.
Twentieth Century
With the introduction of better materials and the inventions of better mechanisms, watch wearing became more common in the 1900s. The famous Rolex brand was introduced in 1905 and stores began to sell Rolex watch choices.
Louis Cartier developed and produced the first wristwatch prototype in 1911 and the first self-winding mechanism was created in 1923. In 1926 jewellers began to sell Rolex watch product called Oyster, which was the very first waterproof watch.
The first electric-powered watches were introduced in the 1950s, closely followed by the first quartz-style watches in 1969. The first LED digital electronic watch was invented in 1970.
Today, designer watches are waterproof, made of superior quality materials and have components and technology to keep them perfectly accurate and able to adjust automatically. Stores, jewellers and websites all over the world sell Rolex watch products and other designer watches.
