Evolution of WatchesBy: Kate Whittemore

PreviewFirst WatchBalance SpringTimelineSpread of WatchesInfluence of QuartzInfluence on Society

First WatchFirst watch around 1500 made by Peter Henlein in GermanyHad dial and hour handLater called Nuremberg eggs because of their shape(www.nwta.com)

Balance SpringMade in 1675Balance or hair spring made watches accurate so they were only off about five minutes a dayCredit was given to Christian Huygens of Holland

(www.europastar.com)

TimelineGirard-Perregaux produced in quantityCaught on with military types in Boer WarFirst chronographsFirst date watchesFirst waterproof watchesRolex patented first Oyster watchFirst self-winding watchesFirst electricwatch, Hamilton Ventura1899-19021880190919121915192619321957(www.forbes.com)

Spread of WatchesMilitary and women were main reason for spread of watchesWithout their popularity as jewelry, watches might not have survived the 20th century

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Influence of QuartzAppearance of cheap quartz technology caused Swiss watchmakers to lose jobsValues of watches in the U.S. have gone down since quartz was addedEmployment in the Swiss watch industry has gone from 90,000 jobs in 1970 to 40,000 today

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Influence on SocietySociety is on timeAs watches became more accurate, the peoples obsession with time grewReflex to look down at wristwatchReflects personality and lifestyleShows a persons wealth

(www.forbes.com)

SummaryFirst WatchBalance SpringTimelineSpread of WatchesInfluence of Quartz

BibliographyDave West Clocks (2005). Electronic Reference: Restoration of an Eureka Battery Clock. Retrieved August 26, 2005 from http://www.davewestclocks.co.uk/Eureka%20battery%20clock.htmForbes (1996). Electronic Reference: The Worlds Best Watches. Retrieved August 26, 2005 from http://www.forbes.com/2003/12/03/cx_ns_1203guide.htmlISA Swiss Movement (1999). Electronic Reference: Questions in Time. Retrieved August 26, 2005 from http://www.europastar.com/europastar/watch_tech/nicolet6.jspThe 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