Evolution of Watches By Kate Whittemore Preview First

Evolution of Watches By: Kate Whittemore

Preview • • • First Watch Balance Spring Timeline Spread of Watches Influence of Quartz Influence on Society

First Watch • First watch around 1500 made by Peter Henlein in Germany • Had dial and hour hand • Later called “Nuremberg eggs” because of their shape (www. nwta. com)

Balance Spring • Made in 1675 • Balance or hair spring made watches accurate so they were only off about five minutes a day • Credit was given to Christian Huygens of Holland (www. europastar. com)

Timeline (www. forbes. com) First self-winding watches First chronographs First waterproof watches Girard-Perregaux produced in quantity 1880 1899 -1902 1909 1912 1915 First date watches Caught on with military types in Boer War 1926 1932 1957 First electric watch, “Hamilton Ventura” Rolex patented first “Oyster” watch

Spread of Watches • Military and women were main reason for spread of watches • Without their popularity as jewelry, watches might not have survived the 20 th century (www. forbes. com)

Influence of Quartz • Appearance of cheap quartz technology caused Swiss watchmakers to lose jobs • Values of watches in the U. S. have gone down since quartz was added • Employment in the Swiss watch industry has gone from 90, 000 jobs in 1970 to 40, 000 today (www. forbes. com)

Influence on Society • Society is “on time” • As watches became more accurate, the people’s obsession with time grew • Reflex to look down at wristwatch • Reflects personality and lifestyle • Shows a person’s wealth (www. forbes. com)

Summary • • • First Watch Balance Spring Timeline Spread of Watches Influence of Quartz

Bibliography • Dave West Clocks (2005). Electronic Reference: Restoration of an Eureka Battery Clock. Retrieved August 26, 2005 from http: //www. davewestclocks. co. uk/Eureka%20 battery %20 clock. htm • Forbes (1996). Electronic Reference: The World’s Best Watches. Retrieved August 26, 2005 from http: //www. forbes. com/2003/12/03/cx_ns_1203 guide. html • ISA Swiss Movement (1999). Electronic Reference: Questions in Time. Retrieved August 26, 2005 from http: //www. europastar. com/europastar/watch_tech/ni colet 6. jsp • The Northwest Territory and Environment (2003). Electronic Reference: A Brief History of Watches. Retrieved August 26, 2005 from http: //www. nwta. com/couriers/10 -96/watches. html