The wristwatch has become a highly fashionable piece of jewelry in recent years. Wherever you go, you will notice a wristwatch on many people’s wrists.
Many people wear watches as a status symbol as well as a means of keeping track of time. Wristwatches are worn by both men and women regularly, but this was not always the case.
Men didn’t wear wristwatches back then; instead, they wore pocket watches. Wristwatches were only made for women, and they preferred it that way.
Wristlets were the name for these wristwatches, and most men would never consider wearing one.
Because of their size, these wristwatches were also judged inaccurate. The watch has certainly seen some adjustments since then. In this article, we will discuss how wristwatches have evolved over the years.
Throwback to old times
The first change in wristwatches occurred during the Second World War. It was extremely difficult for soldiers to go into their pockets to check the time when they conflicted.
When you’re in the middle of a conflict and attempting to carry your pistol and everything else, this isn’t simple. To free up their hands, several troops constructed leather wristbands that their timepieces could slip inside.
As the popularity of the watch grew, watchmakers began to produce them for males. The issue with these wristwatches was that the faces were still susceptible to damage.
To solve this problem, a grid, usually made of silver, was placed on the face to protect it while still allowing you to read the time. The watch’s bracelet underwent several modifications as well. Wristwatches with extensible and flexible bands were now available.
Road to evolution
Following the adjustments, more individuals began to appreciate and wear the wristwatch. People began to understand that wearing a wristwatch was more practical and accurate than wearing a pocket watch.
Watchmakers now create styles for both men and ladies. Watches did appear fully developed, but they’ve since evolved significantly, and that’s what we’re here to discuss:
- A fresh concept
- The practical wristwatch makes its debut
- Electronic watches: Invention and transformation
- The smartwatch era
A fresh concept
Small personal clocks were carried in pockets, fastened onto skirts and aprons, and withdrawn to check the time with a flourish and a bit of fuss. Pocket watches were attractive and helpful.
However, they were a little inconvenient. They required the user to stop what he or she was doing, open the protective cover, and close it again when completed.
Fast forward to 1868, and the controversy over who invented the wristwatch begins in earnest. For Hungary’s Countess Koscowicz, Patek Philippe designed a magnificent bracelet watch with a winding key that year.
Albert Bertholet of Bienne applied for and received a patent for a simplified wristwatch known as the “Montret bracelet simplifiee” in 1889.
Other watchmakers quickly followed suit, creating pieces that were all decorated with enamel and elaborate flourishes. All intended for women to wear as accessories.
The practical wristwatch makes its debut
Wristwatches in the early days were prone to breakage. They were delicate in appearance and function, and unlike today’s excellent watches, they were not hermetically sealed.
As a result, men have continued to favor pocket watches. The first men’s wristwatches resembled pocket timepieces and were simply strapped on the wrist with a leather strap.
By 1917, the British War Department was supplying wristwatches to soldiers. Their main purpose of development was specifically for trench fighting and included unbreakable glass and light displays.
Men began to trade in their pocket timepieces for wristwatches not long after, especially after John Harwood developed the self-winding watch in 1923. The formerly pocket watch had lost favor to the point where it was almost history.
Electronic watches: Invention and transformation
CEH, Switzerland, introduced electronic (quartz) movements in 1967. The quartz wristwatch BETA 1 was a sleek, square clock that broke performance records. By 1970, there were 18 distinct quartz watch manufacturers on the market.
While businesses almost definitely lost money, the lack of technical patents drove rapid invention and market expansion. In the end, watchmakers all over the world benefited.
Calculator watches and novelty watches with simple computer games predated today’s smartwatches. In 1970, they first came into development and in the 1980’s they were quite famous.
When Timex’s Datalink wristwatch first came in 1994, it caused quite a stir since it could communicate wirelessly with a PC. In 1998, Samsung released a watch phone with a full 90 minutes of call time 1999.
The smartwatch era
New technology became available shortly after the introduction of electronic timepieces. Top watchmakers such as Rolex, Seiko, and Omega offered diving watches, aeronautical watches, and even space watches.
IBM released a Linux Smartwatch in 2000, and Citizen cooperated with IBM on a “WatchPad” featuring a touch display, 16MB of flash storage, Bluetooth, and other functions the following year.
Fossil, Microsoft, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, and all continued to create innovative smartwatches from 2003 to 2010. In 2014, Apple unveiled the Apple Watch, and Microsoft released the Microsoft Band watch the same year.
Today, all watch brands provide unique features, fashionable styles, fitness trackers, and other features. Many people still value older wristwatches for their beauty and flair.
Great watchmakers will no doubt incorporate the latest wearable technology into their appealing creations. While the trend is here to stay, what will 2022 bring, perhaps?
Conclusion
To conclude, the evolution of wristwatches carries great information that is a valuable asset for everyone. Over time, wristwatches are becoming merely a collectible or an accessory to match your clothes.
However, there are still people who realize the true value and worth of wristwatches in this era as well.
When talking about watches, it has become an easy job to shop it anywhere with multiple choices to select from. You can purchase online from your trusted online vendors or at the showrooms.
However, there are now options to purchase first copies of your favorite watches, such as Replica Rolex Submariner or any other brand and style you like.
Perhaps, watches are a part of a person’s personality. They can never be replaced by cell phones and other accessories.