The Evolution of the Wristwatch
The Evolution of the Wristwatch
Have you ever seen an old movie where a man pulls out a pocket watch and thought, “Cool! Whatever happened to that anyway?” Well, you’re not the only one. In fact, the wristwatch that you may wear today has a long history related to the pocket watch. However, your watch is considered to be far more practical than the personal clock that was pulled from anyone’s pocket on a chain. Interested in learning the evolution of the wristwatch? Keep reading!
1400s: Way back in the 1400s, the precursor to the wristwatch, the pocket watch, was first becoming a reality. The mainspring was invented, which meant that people had time more and more accessible to them. Now, whether that time was actually accurate was a whole other story. At the time, pocket watches didn’t have a minute hand and could often be off by around half an hour. Great excuse to be late for just about anything, right?
1700s: Only about 300 years after the first invention of the pocket watch did it actually become something useful. Technology like a tightly wound spring enabled hands to be put on the face of the watch, and it made it all the more accurate. This is a big deal when you think about the fact that the Age of Exploration stretched into this time period and the Enlightenment began not long after. These gadgets continued to improve until they were considered a true luxury for the richest in society.
1910s: This is the moment you likely searched for to begin with. When did the pocket watch become the wristwatch? It was the early 20th century. Frankly, glancing down at your hand or wrist was much more convenient than stopping what you were doing to get your heavy personal clock out of your pocket. While the first wristwatch was originally considered feminine, soldiers using them during World War I helped to bring about a masculine wristwatch as well.
1960s: New technology, say what? That’s right! Say hello to the battery-powered wristwatch. These new electronic watches now had improved accuracy and better battery life.
1980s: Watches used to be exclusive to the wealthy, but the 1980s brought watches that were affordable to everyone. Inexpensive quartz watches became available if you were more focused on keeping time than having a showpiece.
1990s: A digital watch is creative that attempts to offer more than just time – news, weather, sports scores, and more?! The SPOT watch was better in concept than it was in practice.
2010s: If the 1990s version of the SPOT watch had you thinking of today’s Apple watch or other Bluetooth connected devices, then you’re up to date with the digital trends of the 2010s. Today’s watches can either be a traditional statement piece about fashion and wealth or a technical gadget that does more on your wrist than a computer in the 1990s.
Final thoughts
Now, modern watches are a status and fashion symbol in society. They designate style from that first introductory handshake. Do you want to show someone you mean business? Wear your nicest watch to that meeting. Yet, this symbolic meaning all started from convenience, and the desire to know the time at the drop of a hat.
