HISTORY OF WATCHES

In the early years the only way time was measured was using sand timers. The early watches seen by the world in the history were spring wound clocks. In 1400s spring driven watches were made and evidences of it are still seen. In the year 1511 it was known to the world. In 1500s the history watches were called clock-watches; it was hung around the neck using chains. Many of the Germans made miniature clocks and watches way before it was actually known to the mass, but there are no evidences to prove this. The clock watches were heavy, drum shaped cylindrical brass boxes; they were several inches in diameter with engravings and small ornaments on it. The history watches generally had only one hand which pointed out the hour. The techniques used were very poor and the time shown were several hours ahead or behind. They were well crafted and served as ornaments, novelties and used as part of the jewellery.

As times changed the watches also underwent changes, in 1600 the pocket watches were used. People started using watches in the pockets not as pendants when King Charles III introduced a waistcoat in England. Through out the history of watches there was one major issue that plagued them, that was called the lack of isochronism.

A leap in the history of watches came in the year 1657 with the advent of spring balances. The spring balance turned the balance wheel into a harmonic oscillator, with a normal ‘beat’ opposed to to disturbances. This helped in increasing the accuracy of the watches. In the year 1724 quality watches went to the duplex escapement, in Britain. In 1765 came the advent of temperature compensation and Chronometres, this was possible with the various scientific instruments that were beginning to be developed.