The History of the Wristwatch

I’ve always had a soft spot for wristwatches. Not because I own a collection of rare Swiss timepieces or anything extravagant, but because I think they tell a story that goes far beyond just keeping track of the hours. The watch on our wrist today is a blend of centuries of craftsmanship, innovation, fashion, and even war. I thought it would be interesting to investigate the history of the wristwatch, who first wore them, and how they transformed into the symbols of style and practicality we see now.

The Origins of the Watch

The history of the wristwatch really begins with the development of portable clocks. Back in the 15th century, mechanical clockmaking was advancing in Europe, particularly in Germany and Italy. Clockmakers began shrinking their creations, and the first “watches” appeared in the early 1500s. These weren’t like the slim wristwatches we think of today—they were bulky, drum-shaped devices often worn as pendants around the neck.

Peter Henlein, a locksmith and clockmaker from Nuremberg, Germany, is often credited with creating some of the earliest portable timepieces around 1510. His designs were powered by mainsprings rather than weights, which was revolutionary because it allowed timekeeping devices to become portable. These were status symbols for the wealthy and nobility, more decorative than accurate, but they marked the beginning of personal timekeeping.

Who Wore the First Watches

For centuries, portable watches were carried in pockets, leading to the pocket watch becoming the standard accessory for men by the 17th and 18th centuries. Women, however, were among the first to wear watches on the wrist. These early “bracelet watches” were often seen as decorative jewellery pieces rather than serious timekeepers.

One of the earliest recorded wristwatches was made for Elizabeth I of England in 1571, gifted to her by Robert Dudley. It was described as an “arm watch.” At the time, though, it was considered more of a novelty item than a practical tool. For most of history, wristwatches were associated with femininity, while men stuck with their trusty pocket watches.

The Wristwatch as a Military Necessity

The big turning point for wristwatches came with war. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, military officers began strapping watches to their wrists during campaigns. Soldiers needed a practical way to coordinate maneuvers without fumbling for a pocket watch in the middle of battle.

During the Boer War (1899–1902) and later in World War I, wristwatches became indispensable. The military’s demand for precision and practicality turned what was once considered a dainty accessory into a tool of survival. These watches were often reinforced with leather guards or metal grids to protect the glass from shattering.

This shift in perception made wristwatches respectable for men, and soon after the war, they became a mainstream accessory. By the 1920s, the pocket watch was in decline, and the wristwatch had cemented itself as the new standard.

The First Watchmakers and Innovations

Several watchmaking houses played vital roles in developing the wristwatch as we know it today. Companies like Patek Philippe, founded in the 1830s, were pioneers in fine watchmaking. In fact, Patek Philippe is credited with making one of the earliest wristwatches for Countess Koscowicz of Hungary in 1868.

Rolex, another giant in the industry, made a huge breakthrough in 1926 when they introduced the Oyster case, the world’s first waterproof wristwatch. This innovation made wristwatches not just stylish but also durable and practical for everyday wear.

The Swiss, of course, became synonymous with precision and luxury. Brands like Omega, Longines, and Jaeger-LeCoultre pushed forward designs that combined function with elegance. Their watches were not just about telling time—they became symbols of craftsmanship and prestige.

From Utility to Fashion Statement

What fascinates me is how wristwatches slowly evolved from military tools into powerful fashion statements. By the mid-20th century, watches had become an essential part of daily dress, especially for men. Different styles emerged—dress watches for formal occasions, chronographs for aviation and racing, diver’s watches for professionals at sea.

In the 1950s and 60s, watch designs began reflecting modern tastes. Brands like Rolex released the Submariner, which became iconic not only for divers but also for film stars like Sean Connery’s James Bond. Suddenly, a watch wasn’t just a tool—it was part of your identity.

The Quartz Revolution

The 1970s brought about one of the biggest disruptions in the history of watches: quartz technology. Seiko, a Japanese company, introduced the first commercially available quartz wristwatch in 1969, the Seiko Astron. Unlike mechanical watches powered by springs and gears, quartz watches used an electronic oscillator regulated by a quartz crystal. They were cheaper to produce, far more accurate, and required less maintenance.

This “Quartz Crisis” shook the Swiss watch industry, nearly wiping out many traditional makers. While the market was flooded with affordable quartz watches, luxury brands had to rethink their identity. This is when the idea of watches as luxury symbols, rather than just practical tools, truly took hold.

Watches in the Modern Era

Fast forward to today, and the wristwatch has taken on yet another role. For many, it’s less about necessity—after all, our phones tell the time with perfect accuracy—and more about style, craftsmanship, or even nostalgia. Wearing a wristwatch feels like a statement that goes beyond utility.

At the same time, smartwatches have entered the scene. Companies like Apple, Samsung, and Garmin have reinvented what a watch can do. Now they track our health, monitor our sleep, send messages, and even make calls. In many ways, they’ve brought the wristwatch full circle: from a practical tool to a fashion piece, and now back to a multifunctional device for daily life.

What’s interesting is that despite the rise of smartwatches, traditional mechanical watches are thriving in the luxury market. Owning a Rolex, an Omega, or a Patek Philippe isn’t just about telling time—it’s about heritage, craftsmanship, and identity. Personally, I think there’s something poetic about winding a mechanical watch, knowing it’s powered by centuries-old principles of gears and springs.

My Own Journey with Watches

My first real watch was a cheap plastic digital one I got as a kid. It had a bright green backlight, and I thought it was the coolest thing in the world. I remember wearing it to school, showing off the stopwatch function like it was something out of a spy movie. Looking back, it wasn’t much, but it gave me my first taste of how personal a watch can feel.

Later in life, I inherited my grandfather’s pocket watch. It’s a bulky silver piece with Roman numerals and a tiny second hand ticking away at the bottom. The case has scratches and dents from decades of use, but I treasure it. Every time I hold it, I imagine him checking it while working, or pulling it out on special occasions. That’s the magic of watches—they carry stories across generations.

Today, I own a modest wristwatch, nothing too flashy, but I love it. It’s reliable, fits comfortably on my wrist, and serves as a reminder that even in an age of smartphones, there’s something grounding about glancing at your wrist to check the time. It feels more intentional, almost ritualistic.

A Timeless Companion

When I look at my watch, I don’t just see an object that tells time. I see a piece of history, one that links me back to soldiers in the trenches, to craftsmen in Swiss workshops, to queens and explorers, and even to the modern push of technology.

The wristwatch has always been more than just a tool. It started as a marvel of engineering, became a military necessity, transformed into a fashion statement, survived technological revolutions, and still sits proudly on our wrists today. Whether mechanical, quartz, or digital, each watch is a reminder of how human ingenuity adapts and endures.

And maybe that’s why I’ll always love watches—not just for what they do, but for the story they carry.