From Pocket to Wrist: The Interesting Evolution of the Watch

by Kevin Smith Author

Watches today have become more than just an instrument to tell time. Through the years, they’ve evolved to become a fashion statement. Many companies have made it big in the watch manufacturing industry. Watch prices may reach up to the thousand-dollar mark, especially those produced by Rolex. Watch buyers in Atlanta treat buying timepieces as an investment; reselling one may earn you money, expressly genuine, vintage watches.

Other wristwatches are quite affordable. People use these mainly for their functionality: They can accurately measure time, which is crucial in a fast-paced society. However, this hasn't always been the case. The watch we know today has been a product of continuous innovation. Read on to learn more about its evolution.

Watches of the 15th Century

The first portable watches were made in Nuremberg, Germany. Contrary to what most people might assume, the first watches made were more like statement pieces worn as pendants and only the nobility could afford them. Most of them didn't have a minute hand and only told time using the hour hand. They weren't yet accurate; most of them were off by more than half an hour per day.

The Reliable Pocket Watch of the 18th Century

The regulation system of a timepiece is the one that makes it tick. After watchmakers made the watch more accurate during the 18th century, it became a reliable device used for science and navigation. Since this revolutionary advancement, more technological innovations made watches do a lot more things related to timekeeping. Others featured calendars, even multiple time zone displays and compasses.

The watch's style had also changed. Men started wearing watches in their coat pockets instead of wearing them like necklaces with the watch as the "pendant."

The Watch Moves to the Wrist in the 20th Century

Wearing a watch on the wrist became a very popular trend during the 1910s. During the First World War, soldiers in the field needed timepieces that they could easily carry with them everywhere, so they started modifying pocket watches by strapping them to their wrists. Soon after, the first wristwatch was born.

The early years of the 20th century saw the rise of manufacturers who focused on producing quality wristwatches. Watch manufacturers began to mass-produce their products due to wartime. Soldiers crucially needed them as timing was very important and their every move should be in sync. As a result, the ratio of the pocket watch to wristwatch became 1 to 50. It simply proved that most people favored wristwatches for the convenience they provided.

A Timeless Accessory

Since then, wristwatches have continued to evolve into many other variants, from the ones with mesh and metal straps to the digital kinds. They've also become more affordable. Today, many Rolex watch buyers in Atlanta and other places treat watches, particularly traditional ones, as a huge investment for the future.