How did the wristwatch come into being?
When did the personal watch become a thing? Why did people switch from pocket watches to wristwatches? And how was the wristwatch improved over time?
Many things in the world seem to exist forever. They are so usual and universally acknowledged that we often don’t think about where they came from. One of these things is a personal watch.
The early version of the wristwatch appeared in the 16th century as a gift to Elizabeth I of England. But, the Guinness Book holds records of another “first wristwatch”: that made in 1868 for Countess Koscowicz of Hungary by Swiss watchmaker Patek Philippe.
These noblewomen considered the wristlet primarily a hand accessory that was a relatively rare thing back then.
Nowadays, there is an enormous variety of wrist watches: waterproof and shock-resistant, steel and golden, mechanic and electronic – a myriad of models. The wristwatch became a muss product and a status thing simultaneously.
When did the personal watch become a thing? Why did people switch from pocket watches to wristwatches? And how was the wristwatch improved over time?
The beginning of wristwatch
People became into watches in the 18th century and carried them in pockets. Usually, these portable clocks were secured by chains or straps. Soon, in addition to time showing, a pocket watch became a popular method of saving money. There are records that almost half of the 19th-century pawn items in the USA were pocket watches.
The 19th century with its industrialization, trains, electricity, and city growth, made life much faster. In 1878, Sir Sandford Fleming developed the system of worldwide time zones we still use today. All these circumstances underlined the value of time and – personal watches. And the end of the century marked the appearance of wristlets.
Originally, wristwatches were women’s accessories, and they weren’t packed with much technology or additional features. As for men, they wore pocket watches up until the 20th century.
The first change came with Second Boer War. It was a conflict between Britain and two Boer Republics (the South African Republic and the Orange Free State) in 1899-1902.
The usefulness of the wrist watches went to Europe, inspiring brands to consider mass production of wrist watches for men as well as for women.
In 1904, a Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont asked his friend, Louis Cartier, to make him a personal watch for his flights. It was much easier to check the time by looking on his cuff than to get into his pocket, especially up in the air.
