Even if you never put it on (or even know where it is), there’s a good chance that you own a wristwatch. Most people use their phones to check the time these days, but they usually still have a watch somewhere in their house. And while measuring time actually dates back more than 5,000 years, wristwatches are a much more recent development. 

From the Neck to the Pocket to the Wrist

Clocks have been around since the early 14th century, and about 100 years later, they were made to be portable. It was then that people began wearing them around their necks, which was mostly for decorative purposes, as they weren’t too accurate. 

Thanks to the introduction of the waistcoat in the 17th century, pocket watches became popular. And then in 1812, the first known wristwatch was created. It was made for Queen Caroline Murat – Napoleon’s sister – by Abraham-Louis Breguet. By the end of the century, this type of watch was common in women’s wardrobes. 

While men still had a preference for pocket watches, it became clear that in some circumstances – like war, for example – they just weren’t practical. During the Second Boer War that took place in South Africa between 1899 and 1902, soldiers who needed to be able to quickly synchronize movements took to strapping pocket watches to their wrists. 

One of the earliest pilots, Alberto Santos Dumont, lamented the fact that he couldn’t use both hands to fly a plane while also keeping an eye on his watch. In 1904, his friend Louis Cartier designed a watch for him, which is considered the very first wristwatch for men. Watches then became very prevalent with pilots and soldiers during World War I, and it wasn’t long before civilians also started wearing them.

Watches Become More Mainstream – And Smarter

It was during the 1920s and 30s when some really interesting things started happening to watches. First, self-winding watches were developed. In 1926, Rolex created a waterproof Oyster case. (Their advertising campaign involved having swimmer Mercedes Gleitze wear a Rolex as she swam across the English Channel. She couldn’t make it due to harsh weather, but the watch was perfectly fine.) 

In the 30s, electric-powered watches with quartz technology were invented. These weren’t very practical, however, because they were bulky, expensive, and required large batteries. 

While battery-powered table clocks were soon developed by companies like Philippe and Seiko, it wasn’t until the 1960s and 70s that electric wristwatches really took off. Japan was one of the foremost countries in producing cheap and reliable watches. And in the 80s, watches became more than watches, and it was certainly not uncommon to see tiny calculators strapped to people’s wrists.

The recent evolution with the wristwatch, of course, is that it can do a lot more than just tell time or even make calculations. If you do have a watch that you dutifully strap on every day, it’s probably a smartwatch. There’s pretty much nothing these can’t do. 

Apple Watches, for example, in addition to being mini computers, can keep track of your heart rate, order food, and even allow you to control the smart devices in your home.

Do You Still Wear a Watch?

Do you still wear a watch? And if so, is it an “old-school” no frills type or a smarter one? Let us know in the comments below!