The origins of the pocket watch (16th century)
Early development: the first pocket watches appeared in the 16th century, mainly due to advances in the miniaturization of clock movements. They were invented in Germany and Italy.
Examples: the German watchmaker Peter Henlein is often credited with creating the first portable watch around 1510. These watches were initially worn as pendants on a chain around the neck or pinned to clothing.
Design and technology: the watches were large and round, often decorated with ornate ornaments. They were spring-driven instead of weight-driven, which allowed them to be miniaturised.
17th century: development and improvement
Technological innovation: in this period, pocket watches were equipped with a cover to protect the dial, which led to the so-called "Nurnberg egg".
Accuracy and reliability: the introduction of the verge escapement has improved the accuracy of the watch.
Aesthetics: watches became a symbol of wealth and status, often decorated with precious metals, enamels and engravings.
18th century: advances in precision and design
English innovation: the manufacture of pocket watches developed in England, especially thanks to watchmakers such as John Harrison, who developed the marine chronometer, and John Arnold, who improved the accuracy of watches.
Cylindrical Step Movement: this mechanism, developed in the 18th century, further increased the accuracy of the watch.
Luxury and precision: watches have become luxury goods with complicated mechanical functions such as minute repeater and calendars.
19th century: mass production and popularisation
American Industrial Revolution: the United States brought industrial methods to watchmaking. Companies such as the Waltham Watch Company and the Elgin National Watch Company began producing watches on a large scale, which reduced costs and increased availability.
Standardization and replacement parts: This approach has led to higher quality and reliability in watches. Pocket watches have become more common goods for the general public.
Appearance and function: watches were often equipped with various complications such as stopwatches, moon phases and chronographs. The design became more elegant and practical.
The end of the 19th century and the advent of the wristwatch
Moving on to wristwatches: In the late 19th century, wristwatches began to grow in popularity, especially due to their practicality during World War I, when soldiers needed to quickly tell time without having to take out their pocket watches.
Pocket watches as classics: even though pocket watches were gradually replaced by wristwatches, they remained a symbol of elegance and traditional watchmaking.
Pocket watches have undergone a fascinating evolution from their origins in the 16th century to the technologically advanced and widely available watches of the 19th century. This evolution included significant technological innovations, changes in design and manufacturing techniques, and a gradual move towards more practical wristwatches. However, pocket watches remain a popular collector's item and symbol of watchmaking today.
