Evolution of Watches

First Watch

Dec 31, 1500

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

Iron -> Brass

Dec 31, 1580

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

Balance Spring

Dec 31, 1650

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

The Minute Hand

Dec 31, 1680

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

Bell

Dec 31, 1687

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

Self-Winding Movement

Dec 31, 1780

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

Omega Watch Company

Dec 31, 1848

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

First Wrist Watch

Dec 31, 1868

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.

Mass Production

Dec 31, 1876

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

Spread of the Wrist Watch

Dec 31, 1918

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

Popularity of Wrist Watches

Dec 31, 1918

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

Electric Watches

Dec 31, 1957

1957 marks the start of electric watches. https://s-media-cacheak0.pinimg.com/564x/6e/88/81/6e88811c0c64bd0bf9537daeeb01853a.jpg

Main Source

Oct 11, 2016

http://www.ablogtowatch.com/a-brief-history-of-watches/