Timeline: Evolution of Watches

Dec 31, 1500

First Watch

The first watch appeared shortly after 1500 and made by Peter Henlein, a locksmith in Germany. However, one of the main defects was the variation in different torques. The solution to the problem was unfortunately too advanced since the mainspring was invented in 1450. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/52/German_-_Spherical_Table_Watch_(Melanchthon's_Watch)_-_Walters_5817_-_View_C.jp

Dec 31, 1580

Iron -> Brass

Up until 1580, watches were made almost completely out of iron. Around this time, brass was first introduced. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9d/Christoph_Schissler_-_Portable_Drum_Watch_-_Walters_5870_-_View_B.jpg

Dec 31, 1650

Balance Spring

In the late 1650's, a physicist Robert Hooke, designed a balance spring to control the oscillations of balance. http://www.watchservices.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/P1030254.jpg

Dec 31, 1680

The Minute Hand

During 1680 in Britain and 1700 in France, the minute hand was first introduced.

Dec 31, 1687

Bell

Daniel Quare patents a mechanism that rings a bell every quarter hour.

Dec 31, 1780

Self-Winding Movement

The first self-winding movement was invented by Abraham Louis Perrelet. which will become useful later in time as it responds to wrist movements.

Dec 31, 1848

Omega Watch Company

Louis Brandt opened his own workshop in Switzerland, which became one of the best watch companies in the world at the time, called Omega.

Dec 31, 1868

First Wrist Watch

The first wrist watch was made by Patek Philippe of Patek Philippe & Co, who pioneered the perpetual calendar, split second hands and minute repeater in watches.

Dec 31, 1876

Mass Production

With the use of cheaper materials, watches became affordable for ordinary men to buy, however, only pocket watches were available cheaper.

Dec 31, 1918

Spread of the Wrist Watch

Just after World War I ended, pocket watches were officially out of fashion and by 1930, the wrist watch to pocket watch ratio was about 50:1. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3292/2906892559_eb71ec2186_o.jpg

Dec 31, 1918

Popularity of Wrist Watches

After World War I, pocket watches started to become rare to find and the new thing became wrist watches. By 1930, the ratio of wrist watches to pocket watches was about 50:1. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3292/2906892559_eb71ec2186_o.jpg