You’d be bound to meet interesting wrist watches if you walked into the boardroom of a Fortune 500 company. Watch names like Vacheron Constanin, Frank Muller, Patek Phillipe, Jaeger-LeCoultre and the all time favorite, Rolex, wrist watches just exude an edifice of class and sophistication. In an age when newer technologies are integrated with time-telling functions (Personal Digital Assistants, Pagers and Cellular Phones with timepiece functions), wrist watches have become more of a piece of modern culture, rather than an object of function.
Wrist watches weren’t exactly called wrist watches then. They were known as Wristlets, and were considered more of a passing fad, rather than a serious timepiece. They were often reserved as a “for women” object, and were held with much disdain among men.
Watches, as they still are used for now, were primarily used to keep track of the time. Wrist watches, small as they were, weren’t exactly believed in, compared to pocket watches, which were seen to be more accurate. The rigors of human activity didn’t also make wrist watches popular, considering that the first of these Wristlets were delicate and expensive.
Ironically though, the views towards wrist watches changed during the 19th century. Soldiers found it quite a hassle to have to pull out their pocket watches for them to know the time, let alone proceed in their synchronized plans of attack. They found “wrist watches” more practical and convenient, as they fitted their pocket watches into a cup with leather straps and tied them around their wrists.
Records show that in the 1880s, the German Imperial Navy was equipped with similar looking time pieces. The Anglo-Boer War (South Africa 1899-1902) also became a birth point for wrist watches, as well as other technological advancements (the magazine-fed rifle, the automatic/machine gun and the smokeless gun power).
During the battle, tactical precision was achieved through the help of these makeshift wrist watches. By 1906 wristlets took a more definite step towards being wrist watches. The invention of wire loops soldered onto open-faced pocket watch cases, allowing straps to be easily attached, aided the adaptations for military wrist watch development, eventually leading to the development of wrist watches for men.
It wasn’t until the Second World War (1914-1919) when lessons learned from the Boer War were now applied. The demand for accurate and reliable wrist watches was now at its peak by this time.
Eventually, persons like Hans Wilsdorf, founder of Rolex SA, pushed and encouraged the acceptance of wrist watches in the general market.
These days, wrist watches don’t exactly just exist as a device of function. They’ve become more of a piece of modern culture.
Further Reading:
===============
For More quality and unique Information on the topic of Watches, please visit the following reference site:
http://www.myjewelersplace.com/categories/Watches/
Showing posts with label History of Watches. Show all posts
Showing posts with label History of Watches. Show all posts
Monday, March 16, 2009
Making Time
Time is an equal opportunity employer. Each human being has exactly the same number of hours and minutes every day. Rich people can't buy more hours. Scientists can't invent new minutes. And you can't save time to spend it on another day. Even so, time is amazingly fair and forgiving. No matter how much time you've wasted in the past, you still have an entire tomorrow.
If time were nothing more than an incidental commodity, it's doubtful that the following phrases would clutter our everyday speech:
A stitch in time…
Lost time…
Found time…
Time is money.
Compress time…
Time stood still.
The time of my life…
The sands of time…
Real-time…
Killing time…
As time goes by…
Father time…
Time is on our side.
Time worked against her.
Time is the greatest leveler in the universe. He or she who uses time wisely wins. Unfortunately, many have no grasp of time: they're always late, annoying the daylights out of the punctual—at best. It's interesting that those with no conception or appreciation of time seem to get the leftover goods time and again. Yet, they never seem to make the connection. Some even refuse to wear a watch! (I don't like jewelry—whine, whine, whine!)
From Whence We Came
The heavenly bodies—the stars, the sun and the moon—served as our first watches, and they predate the sundial, the first major advance in timekeeping, by eons. The watch's primary function remains to keep track of time. Modern watches originated as functional, portable, mechanical, clocks. 19th century watches were often carried in the pocket, and included a protective cover, similar to the cover on a woman's compact. Often, they were attached to the clothing by a chain. Wristwatches entered the marketplace in the late 19th century as a woman's fashion accessory, and credit goes to Cartier for popularizing the wristwatch with the leather band.
The first mechanical wristwatches required manual winding. During the 1950s, Hamilton Watch Company introduced the first battery-powered watch, which required no winding. The first digital watch appeared in the 1970s, but digital watches still have not replaced analog watches due, in part, to a wildly successful marketing campaign by Swatch. Toward the end of the 20th century, a consortium of Swiss watchmakers and worldwide graphical designers resurrected the analog watch as a throwaway fashion accessory, and introduced their first wild designs in 1983. It's the design stupid! Swatches flew off the shelves and they remain true to their original concept—cheap, fun, bold, Swiss—analog.
Along the way, watches evolved into solar operated, kinetic powered (self-winding), lithium powered, digital, light-emitting diode (LED), liquid crystal display (LDC), and waterproof. Today's men's watches routinely include a calendar, and many women's watches also include a calendar. But why stop there? You can find a watch to suit your every need. Today's watches contain calculators, digital cameras, cell phones, and games. There have been several attempts to create a computer watch, but to date, only one has made it to market, the Ruputer, by Seiko, and it didn't last. At the time, it proved unmarketable, but stay tuned…
Whether you want high-tech functionality or you prefer to concentrate on the aesthetics of your timepiece, watches are still about marking time, that precious, finite commodity around which our everyday lives revolve.
Further Reading:
===============
For More quality and unique Information on the topic of Watches, please visit the following reference site:
http://www.myjewelersplace.com/categories/Watches/
If time were nothing more than an incidental commodity, it's doubtful that the following phrases would clutter our everyday speech:
A stitch in time…
Lost time…
Found time…
Time is money.
Compress time…
Time stood still.
The time of my life…
The sands of time…
Real-time…
Killing time…
As time goes by…
Father time…
Time is on our side.
Time worked against her.
Time is the greatest leveler in the universe. He or she who uses time wisely wins. Unfortunately, many have no grasp of time: they're always late, annoying the daylights out of the punctual—at best. It's interesting that those with no conception or appreciation of time seem to get the leftover goods time and again. Yet, they never seem to make the connection. Some even refuse to wear a watch! (I don't like jewelry—whine, whine, whine!)
From Whence We Came
The heavenly bodies—the stars, the sun and the moon—served as our first watches, and they predate the sundial, the first major advance in timekeeping, by eons. The watch's primary function remains to keep track of time. Modern watches originated as functional, portable, mechanical, clocks. 19th century watches were often carried in the pocket, and included a protective cover, similar to the cover on a woman's compact. Often, they were attached to the clothing by a chain. Wristwatches entered the marketplace in the late 19th century as a woman's fashion accessory, and credit goes to Cartier for popularizing the wristwatch with the leather band.
The first mechanical wristwatches required manual winding. During the 1950s, Hamilton Watch Company introduced the first battery-powered watch, which required no winding. The first digital watch appeared in the 1970s, but digital watches still have not replaced analog watches due, in part, to a wildly successful marketing campaign by Swatch. Toward the end of the 20th century, a consortium of Swiss watchmakers and worldwide graphical designers resurrected the analog watch as a throwaway fashion accessory, and introduced their first wild designs in 1983. It's the design stupid! Swatches flew off the shelves and they remain true to their original concept—cheap, fun, bold, Swiss—analog.
Along the way, watches evolved into solar operated, kinetic powered (self-winding), lithium powered, digital, light-emitting diode (LED), liquid crystal display (LDC), and waterproof. Today's men's watches routinely include a calendar, and many women's watches also include a calendar. But why stop there? You can find a watch to suit your every need. Today's watches contain calculators, digital cameras, cell phones, and games. There have been several attempts to create a computer watch, but to date, only one has made it to market, the Ruputer, by Seiko, and it didn't last. At the time, it proved unmarketable, but stay tuned…
Whether you want high-tech functionality or you prefer to concentrate on the aesthetics of your timepiece, watches are still about marking time, that precious, finite commodity around which our everyday lives revolve.
Further Reading:
===============
For More quality and unique Information on the topic of Watches, please visit the following reference site:
http://www.myjewelersplace.com/categories/Watches/
The Rolex Submariner
As the Rolex Submariner celebrates its 50th anniversary, we can trace it roots back to the very first waterproof Rolex Oyster. However, the appearance of the model 6204 Submariner in 1954, signaled the dawn of what we have come to identify as the ultimate sports tool watch.
The Rolex 6204 was fitted with a Rolex caliber A296 semi-bubbleback automatic movement and was waterproof to 600 ft. This model was followed by the 6200 and the 6205.
In 1957, these models gave way to the Submariner models 6538 and 6536/1, which also had the new caliber 1030 movement and a larger case and better crown, which boosted the depth rating to 660 ft for the 6538, but dropped the 6536/1 to 330 ft.
The late 50’s was a transitional period for Rolex and the Submariner, as they introduced updated models using the 1500 series of movements running concurrently with the short lived caliber 1030 series. The first Rolex Submariner to use the caliber 1530 was the model 5510, using the oversized crown of the model 6538. This model 5510 is one of the rarest of Vintage Rolex’s and was only produced for a year or two.
The Rolex model 5512, also using the Rolex automatic caliber 1530 and depth rated to 660 ft, quickly replaced the 5510. The 5512 was the watch that gave the Rolex Submariner its most identifiable face, with the crown guards, Mercedes hands and large waterproof case. This model was put up for sale alongside the replacement for the Rolex model 6536, the model 5508 which still did not have crown guards and was only depth rated to 330 ft. When the 5508 was retired, the 5512 was fitted with a chronometer rated Rolex movement, the caliber 1560 and a new model, the reference 5513 was introduced using the venerable Rolex caliber 1530. The Rolex 5512 was marketed until the late 1970’s and the 5513 was finally retired in 1990.
All the previously mentioned vintage Rolex Submariners were no-date models, a Submariner model with a date window was introduced in 1965 with the debut of the Rolex model 1680.
Further Reading:
===============
For More quality and unique Information on the topic of Watches, please visit the following reference site:
http://www.myjewelersplace.com/categories/Watches/
The Rolex 6204 was fitted with a Rolex caliber A296 semi-bubbleback automatic movement and was waterproof to 600 ft. This model was followed by the 6200 and the 6205.
In 1957, these models gave way to the Submariner models 6538 and 6536/1, which also had the new caliber 1030 movement and a larger case and better crown, which boosted the depth rating to 660 ft for the 6538, but dropped the 6536/1 to 330 ft.
The late 50’s was a transitional period for Rolex and the Submariner, as they introduced updated models using the 1500 series of movements running concurrently with the short lived caliber 1030 series. The first Rolex Submariner to use the caliber 1530 was the model 5510, using the oversized crown of the model 6538. This model 5510 is one of the rarest of Vintage Rolex’s and was only produced for a year or two.
The Rolex model 5512, also using the Rolex automatic caliber 1530 and depth rated to 660 ft, quickly replaced the 5510. The 5512 was the watch that gave the Rolex Submariner its most identifiable face, with the crown guards, Mercedes hands and large waterproof case. This model was put up for sale alongside the replacement for the Rolex model 6536, the model 5508 which still did not have crown guards and was only depth rated to 330 ft. When the 5508 was retired, the 5512 was fitted with a chronometer rated Rolex movement, the caliber 1560 and a new model, the reference 5513 was introduced using the venerable Rolex caliber 1530. The Rolex 5512 was marketed until the late 1970’s and the 5513 was finally retired in 1990.
All the previously mentioned vintage Rolex Submariners were no-date models, a Submariner model with a date window was introduced in 1965 with the debut of the Rolex model 1680.
Further Reading:
===============
For More quality and unique Information on the topic of Watches, please visit the following reference site:
http://www.myjewelersplace.com/categories/Watches/
The History of the Watch: From the Early 19th Century to Present Day Timepieces
The watch has made many transformations through the years. There have been many modifications and technological advancements that have made it possible to wear them on your wrist and tell the time with a push of a button! Unlike the watches made many centuries ago, the watches of today offer cutting edge technology and modern day convenience features. The watch is steeped in history and has seen us through World Wars and Nuclear Warfare. At the end of time, there’s no doubt that we’ll use a watch to make note of the date/time!
To truly understand the evolution of the watch, we must take a journey into the past. The first timekeeping device was actually a pocket watch. Though, back in the day, they were worn around the neck. I guess we know the occupation of Flava Flav’s early ancestors!
After the railroad began using the pocket watch, the watch industry grew by leaps and bounds! With the invention of the wristwatch, watches became increasingly popular among professionals and everyday folk. The LED digital watch and the Pilot’s watch have taken the watch designs and functions to a whole new level. To date, there are many watchmakers vying for your business! Your best bet is to hop online and view the many different styles, models and prices before you purchase another watch.
The pocket watch is the oldest form of watch in production. In the beginning, they were completely customized pieces of jewelry that were mainly owned by royalty or the rich. Encrusted with jewels and made of the finest quality materials, the early pocket watches were not easily affordable. Eventually made into smaller versions and worn around the neck, the pocket watch was still mostly considered a fashion accessory. That was until the development of the railroad. Using the pocket watch as a means to schedule train departures and arrivals, the pocket watch became a time telling necessity. Unfortunately, though, the early pocket watch models did not accurately tell time; they “lost” time as the day progressed, making it impossible to synchronize times among a group of people. Following a train collision, it was deemed that the pocket watch needed to undergo a technological improvement to tell time more accurately.
The revised technology made it possible to begin making the pocket watch smaller and smaller, until it eventually began to be worn on the wrist. The wristwatch began to see a dramatic burst of production during wartimes. The military saw a use for a watch that could be easily read while performing duties. The chronograph wristwatches with luminous hands were in high demand! Today, there are a multitude of watch manufacturers that specialize in wristwatch production. There are watches sporting beautiful jewels and watches that are mostly geared toward function. Some are battery operated, while others operate from the power of the sun! There are watches that will fit into any price range, too. Shopping online will allow you to view and compare many wristwatches so that you can pick the one that is most perfect for your wants and needs!
The LED Digital wrist watch came about in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. These watches were very unique in that they require no moving parts to tell the time of day! Passing an electrical charge through inorganic materials creates the LED digital technology. In other words, you simply press a button and the watch lights up with the dime/date! The Americans and the Japanese have been the forerunners in the development of the LED digital watch. Early models were expensive, but are inexpensive to date. They are the best watches to learn how to tell time by!
The Aviation Watch (Pilot Watch) is a very functional timepiece.. These watches actually help to maintain flight plans, perform pre-flight planning and navigate flights, so they are extremely important for pilots! Used primarily by the military and aircrew, the Aviation style watches are also popular among avid outdoorsmen and athletes. Today, the aviation world has seen a great improvement in a plane’s instrumentation panel, so the Aviation watch isn’t quite as important, but they are very useful to have just in case you need a back up!
All watches are analog or digital in nature, some are even both! Men, women and children will be able to find a wrist watch that is just perfect for their needs/desires. Shopping on the Internet, you’ll find many merchants that sell watches. There are places to find some really great discounted selections, too! When it comes to watches, there are many factors you should consider before you purchase, including: functions needed, size, style and price. Once you have your choices narrowed down, shopping online is the quickest and most convenient way to go. Whether you are an avid watch collector or you are purchasing a time teaching model, remember that your choices have been made possible thanks to the many talented designers and engineers through the years!
Further Reading:
===============
For More quality and unique Information on the topic of Watches, please visit the following reference site:
http://www.myjewelersplace.com/categories/Watches/
To truly understand the evolution of the watch, we must take a journey into the past. The first timekeeping device was actually a pocket watch. Though, back in the day, they were worn around the neck. I guess we know the occupation of Flava Flav’s early ancestors!
After the railroad began using the pocket watch, the watch industry grew by leaps and bounds! With the invention of the wristwatch, watches became increasingly popular among professionals and everyday folk. The LED digital watch and the Pilot’s watch have taken the watch designs and functions to a whole new level. To date, there are many watchmakers vying for your business! Your best bet is to hop online and view the many different styles, models and prices before you purchase another watch.
The pocket watch is the oldest form of watch in production. In the beginning, they were completely customized pieces of jewelry that were mainly owned by royalty or the rich. Encrusted with jewels and made of the finest quality materials, the early pocket watches were not easily affordable. Eventually made into smaller versions and worn around the neck, the pocket watch was still mostly considered a fashion accessory. That was until the development of the railroad. Using the pocket watch as a means to schedule train departures and arrivals, the pocket watch became a time telling necessity. Unfortunately, though, the early pocket watch models did not accurately tell time; they “lost” time as the day progressed, making it impossible to synchronize times among a group of people. Following a train collision, it was deemed that the pocket watch needed to undergo a technological improvement to tell time more accurately.
The revised technology made it possible to begin making the pocket watch smaller and smaller, until it eventually began to be worn on the wrist. The wristwatch began to see a dramatic burst of production during wartimes. The military saw a use for a watch that could be easily read while performing duties. The chronograph wristwatches with luminous hands were in high demand! Today, there are a multitude of watch manufacturers that specialize in wristwatch production. There are watches sporting beautiful jewels and watches that are mostly geared toward function. Some are battery operated, while others operate from the power of the sun! There are watches that will fit into any price range, too. Shopping online will allow you to view and compare many wristwatches so that you can pick the one that is most perfect for your wants and needs!
The LED Digital wrist watch came about in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. These watches were very unique in that they require no moving parts to tell the time of day! Passing an electrical charge through inorganic materials creates the LED digital technology. In other words, you simply press a button and the watch lights up with the dime/date! The Americans and the Japanese have been the forerunners in the development of the LED digital watch. Early models were expensive, but are inexpensive to date. They are the best watches to learn how to tell time by!
The Aviation Watch (Pilot Watch) is a very functional timepiece.. These watches actually help to maintain flight plans, perform pre-flight planning and navigate flights, so they are extremely important for pilots! Used primarily by the military and aircrew, the Aviation style watches are also popular among avid outdoorsmen and athletes. Today, the aviation world has seen a great improvement in a plane’s instrumentation panel, so the Aviation watch isn’t quite as important, but they are very useful to have just in case you need a back up!
All watches are analog or digital in nature, some are even both! Men, women and children will be able to find a wrist watch that is just perfect for their needs/desires. Shopping on the Internet, you’ll find many merchants that sell watches. There are places to find some really great discounted selections, too! When it comes to watches, there are many factors you should consider before you purchase, including: functions needed, size, style and price. Once you have your choices narrowed down, shopping online is the quickest and most convenient way to go. Whether you are an avid watch collector or you are purchasing a time teaching model, remember that your choices have been made possible thanks to the many talented designers and engineers through the years!
Further Reading:
===============
For More quality and unique Information on the topic of Watches, please visit the following reference site:
http://www.myjewelersplace.com/categories/Watches/
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