You’re waiting for an appointment, and the person you’re meeting is running late. You’ve already looked at your watch several times, and this ritualistic act has become something you do to pass the time. Think about how many times you glance at your wristwatch throughout the day. Have you lost count yet? I know I did. Glancing at a wristwatch has become such a ritualistic act that we never stop to think about what it would be like if we didn’t have that wristwatch to fall back on. Next time you look at your watch, think about these historical watch facts.
- The first wristwatch was made on January 1, 1868 by Patek Philippe, a Swiss watch manufacturer. Philippe designed the watch as a decorative piece of jewelry for Countess Koscowicz of Hungary.
- In the early 1900s, a wristwatch was referred to as a wristlet. These timepieces were worn by women.
- Men carried pocket watches and would often say, “sooner wear a skirt as wear a wristwatch”.
- In 1904, Louis Cartier designed the Cartier Santos Wristwatch for pilot Alberto Santos Dumont. This was the first prototype for a men’s wristwatch.
- During World War II soldiers used wristwatches, called trench watches to view the time easily when they had their hands full.
These are only a few of the important facts and dates regarding the history of watches. You can learn more about your favorite designer watches, including Omega Watches, Tissot Watches, Tag Heuer Watches and more, at AuthenticWatches.com.