Wristwatches – from Ancient Greece to the present day

Wristwatches are one of the most popular accessories these days. They can be chosen to suit every taste and budget. Watches are worn at work and at leisure, at receptions and sporting events. A variety of models allows you to choose an accessory to suit any style of clothing.

Nowadays, both men and women wear watches, but this was not always the case. Oddly enough, initially wristwatches were used exclusively by ladies. Models for men appeared much later.

The very first hours

The need to keep track of time appeared in the ancient world. For this, people came up with special devices, which, however, differed significantly from the clocks we are used to.

- The hourglass is the very first device known to us for measuring time. Appeared in Ancient Greece several thousand years BC.

- Sundials appeared after hourglasses; they were used by the inhabitants of Ancient Rome. The principle of their operation was based on the change in the position of the sun during the day. Unfortunately, it was possible to find out the time using such a watch only in sunny weather.

- Water clocks were invented in Egypt. They were similar to sand ones, only the sand was replaced by water flowing through a tube from one container to another.

The emergence of mechanical watches

People continued to improve instruments for measuring time. At the end of the 6th century AD, the first mechanical devices appeared that were built into water clocks.

The clock mechanism we are familiar with was invented in Medieval Europe. Mechanical watches were first mentioned in chronicles of the 13th century. The clock already had a dial with 12 divisions, but they could only be found in monasteries.

The ancestors of wristwatches began to appear at the beginning of the 16th century. It was a pocket watch. They were not distinguished by accuracy and reliability, but they were made of gold and precious stones. Only very rich people could afford such an expensive toy.

Watch on bracelet

The first wristwatches appeared a little later than pocket watches. In 1571, Queen Elizabeth I of England was given a watch that could be worn on a bracelet set with precious stones. This accessory was liked by the ladies of the court and became very popular in aristocratic circles.

But such watches were perceived only as women’s jewelry. Their mechanism did not work accurately due to its small size. Such watches were very fragile, so wearing them anywhere other than the ballroom was risky.

Wristwatches are getting serious

With all the frivolity of women’s wristwatches, it was impossible to deny their ease of use. Unlike men’s pocket watches, they were lightweight and left your hands free.

The military was the first to borrow the idea of a wristwatch - they began to fasten the dial of a pocket watch to the hand with leather straps. Civilians also liked the idea, and the invention quickly spread throughout Europe.

Mass production of wristwatches began at the end of the 19th – beginning of the 20th century. It was then that world-famous brands such as Rolex and Omega watches began their history. Over time, watches became more and more improved - manufacturers improved shockproof characteristics, increased accuracy, and released new watch models.

Watches for every taste

Today, along with engineers, designers play an important role in watch production. After all, the appearance of a watch depends on them, and for women it often means no less than a high-quality mechanism.

All modern women’s watches, with all the variety of models, can be divided into 4 groups.

• Classic watch on a leather strap or metal bracelet. Suitable with business-style clothing.
• Precious jewelry watches made of gold, silver and platinum. They are often encrusted with precious stones. Such watches are worn with evening dress for special occasions.
• Sports watches. Created specifically for outdoor activities and sports. They have an appropriate design, are well protected from dust and moisture, and are made from high-strength materials.
• Designer watches. These are exclusive models created by famous couturiers.

Most watches now combine high-quality mechanisms and interesting designs. This is one of the most useful and stylish accessories for a modern person.