The Evolution of Watches!

CENTRAL WATCH

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Take a look at the brief timeline of the evolution of watch development.  First found in the 15^th century, timepieces went from jewelry to pocket watches and eventually wristwatches.

1495 – Leonardo da Vinci sketches a fuse for a clock

1504-1508 – Peter Henlein invests what many consider the first pocket watch (disputed).

1500s – Clock-Watches become popular, attached to clothing or around the neck.  They only had four hands and didn't keep time very well.  Considered a status symbol by the rich.

1675 – Charles II of England introduces the waistcoat, similar style of pocket watches.

1657 – The balance spring is invented by either Robert Hooke or Christian Huygens (disputed).  This improved accuracy greatly, only leaving 10 minutes of error each day.

1680 – Minute hand is introduced in Britain.

1780 – Abraham Louis Perrelet invents self-winding movement.

1848 – Louis Brandt open a small workshop in La Chaux-de-Fonds, later becomes Omega watch Company.

1868 – Patek Philippe & Co. develop the first wristwatch.

1880 - Wristwatches were ordered for all German naval officers.  Represents the first important commercialization of wristwatches.

1884 – Greenwhich, England is officially named the zero meridian and used as the world wide recognized basis of time zones.

1905 – Hans Wilsdorf founds Wilsdorf and Davis in London.  Later become the Rolex watch Company of Switzerland.

1957 – First watches to be powered by electricity are introduced.

1969 – Introduction of the quartz watch.

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