⏳ When Were Watches Invented? The Shocking Truth (2026)

Video: Story of Pocket/Wrist Watches | From Pocket Watches to Smartwatches: A Journey Through History | 1.1.

You might think the answer to “when were watches invented” is a simple date like 1505, but the truth is far more twisted than a mainspring in a tangled mess. While Peter Henlein is often credited with crafting the first portable timepieces in early 16th-century Nuremberg, the device he created was a heavy, inaccurate drum that lost hours every day. The story doesn’t end there; the wristwatch we know today wasn’t born until 1810 for a Queen, didn’t become a tool for men until the trenches of World War I, and nearly vanished entirely during the Quartz Crisis of the 1970s.

In this deep dive, we unravel the timeline from the first “Nuremberg Egg” to the atomic-precision smartwatches of today. We’ll reveal why men refused to wear wristwatches for centuries, how a pilot named Alberto Santos-Dumont changed fashion forever, and why your $20 quartz watch is actually more accurate than the most expensive mechanical piece in the world. By the end, you’ll understand that the invention of the watch wasn’t a single moment, but a centuries-long evolution of human ingenuity.

Key Takeaways

The First “Watch” was a Novelty: The earliest portable timepieces appeared in the 15th century, but they were heavy, inaccurate, and worn as jewelry, not tools.
Wristwatches Started as Women’s Jewelry: The first known wristwatch was created in 1810 for the Queen of Naples, while men stuck to pocket watches until World War I.
War Changed Everything: The practical demands of trench warfare in 1914–1918 forced men to adopt wristwatches, making them the global standard.
The Quartz Revolution: In 1969, Seiko introduced the first quartz watch, shattering accuracy records and nearly destroying the Swiss mechanical industry.
Modern Precision: Today’s watches range from atomic-accurate radio-controlled timepieces to smartwatches that track your health, proving the wristwatch is still evolving.

⚡️ Quick Tips and Facts
🕰️ The Dawn of Time: When Were Watches Actually Invented?
📜 A Brief History of Timekeeping: From Sundials to the First Portable Clocks
🎒 The Rise of the Pocket Watch: How the “Nuremberg Egg” Changed Everything
⚙️ The Mechanics of Precision: Balance Springs, Escapements, and Temperature Compensation
🏭 From Craft to Industry: The Era of Mass Production and Standardization
🤔 The Great Debate: When Did the Wristwatch Replace the Pocket Watch?
✈️ The Trench Watch Revolution: How War Accelerated Wristwatch Adoption
⚡️ The Electric and Quartz Revolutions: Battery Power and the Timequake
📡 The Age of Accuracy: Radio-Controled, Atomic, and GPS Timekeeping
📱 The Digital Frontier: How Smartwatches Redefined the Modern Wristwatch
💡 Quick Tips and Facts: 7 Mind-Blowing Details About Watch History
🏆 Conclusion: The Endless Evolution of the Watch
🔗 Recommended Links
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
📚 Reference Links

⚡️ Quick Tips and Facts

Before we dive into the dusty archives of horological history, let’s hit the rewind button on some common misconceptions. You might think the wristwatch was invented in the trenches of WWI, or that Peter Henlein just whipped up the first watch in a garage in 1505. Spoiler alert: It’s a bit more complicated (and fascinating) than that.

Here are 7 Mind-Blowing Details to get your gears turning:

✅ The “First” Wristwatch was for a Queen: Long before men strapped them to their wrists, Abraham-Louis Breguet crafted the first known wristwatch in 1810 for Caroline Murat, the Queen of Naples. It was a bracelet-style timepiece, not a tool for pilots yet!
❌ Henlein’s “Watches” Were Terible: Peter Henlein’s 16th-century creations, often called “Nuremberg Eggs,” were heavy, drum-shaped, and could lose several hours a day. They were jewelry first, timekeepers second.
✅ The Minute Hand Came Late: For the first 150 years of watch history, there was no minute hand. You just knew it was “around 3 o’clock.” The minute hand only became standard after the balance spring improved accuracy in the late 17th century.
❌ Men Didn’t Wear Wristwatches Until WWI: While women wore them as jewelry in the 180s, men considered wristwatches “silly ass fads” until the practicality of trench warfare forced a change in 1914.
✅ The Quartz Revolution Was a “Timequake”: In 1969, Seiko released the Astron, the first quartz watch. It was so accurate it made mechanical watches look like toys, nearly destroying the Swiss industry in the process.
✅ Atomic Accuracy on Your Wrist: Modern radio-controlled watches (like those from Junghans or Citizen) sync with atomic clocks daily, keeping time to within one second in a million years.
❌ Smartwatches Aren’t the First Digital Watch: The Pulsar LED watch hit the market in 1972, proving that digital timekeeping isn’t just a 21st-century phenomenon.

For a deeper dive into the timeline of these inventions, check out our comprehensive guide on the History of Watches.

🕰️ The Dawn of Time: When Were Watches Actually Invented?

Video: How WWI Changed Wristwatches Forever (The Backstory).

If you ask a random person on the street, “When were watches invented?” you’ll likely get a vague answer like “a long time ago” or “in the 150s.” But as enthusiasts at Watch Brands™, we know the truth is a spectrum, not a single date.

The question “When were watches invented?” depends entirely on how you define a “watch.”

Defining the “Watch”

If we define a watch as any portable timepiece, the answer points to 15th-century Europe.
If we define it as a wrist-worn device, the answer shifts to 1810 (for women) and 1904 (for men).
If we define it as a mass-produced, accurate tool, we land in the 19th century.

“Peter Hele, still a young man, fashions works which even the most learned mathematicians admire.” — Johann Cochläus, 151

This quote from the early 16th century describes Peter Henlein, the clockmaker often credited with inventing the watch. But was he the first? Probably not. He was certainly the first to make them fashionable.

The Nuremberg Connection

In the early 150s, Nuremberg, Germany, was the hub of clockmaking innovation. Henlein and his contemporaries began shrinking the massive tower clocks of the era into portable, spring-driven mechanisms.

Key Characteristics of the First “Watches”:

Shape: Drum-shaped or spherical (hence the nickname “Nuremberg Egg”).
Material: Brass and iron.
Hands: Only an hour hand.
Accuracy: Drifted by hours per day.
Wearability: Worn on a chain around the neck or attached to a belt.

These weren’t tools for precision; they were status symbols. If you owned one, you were wealthy, educated, and ahead of the curve.

For more on the evolution of these early timepieces, explore our Guide to Buying Watches to understand how modern standards compare to these ancient ancestors.

📜 A Brief History of Timekeeping: From Sundials to the First Portable Clocks

To understand the watch, we must first understand the clock. The journey from the sun to the spring is a story of human ingenuity.

1. The Era of the Sun and Water (Pre-140s)

Before springs, time was dictated by nature.

Sundials: Used by Egyptians and Babylonians. Accurate only when the sun shone.
Water Clocks (Clepsydra): Used in Greece and China. Time was measured by the flow of water.
Mechanical Clocks: By the 13th century, Europe saw the first large mechanical clocks in cathedrals (like the one at Salisbury Cathedral, c. 1275). These were weight-driven and massive, fixed to walls or towers.

2. The Mainspring Revolution (140s)

The game-changer was the mainspring. Instead of a heavy weight pulling a gear, a coiled spring could store energy in a small package.

The Problem: Early springs were inconsistent. As they unwound, they lost power, causing the clock to slow down.
The Solution: The fuse, a cone-shaped puley, was invented to equalize the force of the spring. This allowed for the creation of the first portable clocks.

3. The Transition to “Watches”

By the late 15th century, these portable clocks were small enough to carry. They were initially called “clocks” or “portable clocks.” The term “watch” likely evolved from the Old English woece (watchman), referring to the night watchmen who used these devices to time their shifts, or perhaps from the nautical term for shipboard shifts.

Did you know? The first glass crystal to protect the dial wasn’t added until around 1610. Before that, a hinged metal cover was the only protection, making it hard to tell time without opening the case!

🎒 The Rise of the Pocket Watch: How the “Nuremberg Egg” Changed Everything

Video: The Quartz Crisis: The (Almost) End of the Watch Industry.

Once the technology allowed for portability, the pocket watch era began in earnest. But it wasn’t until the 17th century that the watch truly found its home in the pocket.

The Fashion Shift: Charles II and the Waistcoat

In 1675, King Charles II of England introduced the waistcoat to men’s fashion. Suddenly, men needed a place to put their timepieces. The chain around the neck was out; the pocket was in.

This shift had a massive impact on watch design:

Shape: Watches became flatter and more circular to fit comfortably in a pocket.
Durability: With a pocket, the watch was better protected from the elements.
Accuracy: The stability of the pocket allowed for better escapement designs.

The Golden Age of Pocket Watches

Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, pocket watches became the pinnacle of craftsmanship.

Complications: Watchmakers added minute repeaters, perpetual calendars, and chronographs.
Materials: Gold, silver, and enamel became common.
Brands: Names like Breguet, Patek Philippe, and Vacheron Constantin were born during this era, establishing the legacy of Swiss luxury.

Fun Fact: The term “pocket watch” is a bit of a misnomer for the early days. Many were still worn on chains, but the style of the movement was evolving to fit a pocket.

If you are looking to start a collection, our Luxury Watch Brands section highlights the most prestigious names that trace their roots back to this golden age.

⚙️ The Mechanics of Precision: Balance Springs, Escapements, and Temperature Compensation

Video: A Brief History of Timekeeping | How Humans Began Telling Time | EXPLORE MODE.

Why did the first watches lose hours a day, while modern ones lose seconds? The answer lies in three critical inventions: the balance spring, the escapement, and temperature compensation.

1. The Balance Spring (1675)

Before 1675, watches relied on a simple balance wheel that swung back and forth, but its speed varied wildly.

The Invention: Christiaan Huygens (and possibly Robert Hooke) invented the balance spring (hairspring).
The Impact: This spring regulated the oscillation of the balance wheel, turning a chaotic swing into a rhythmic beat.
Result: Accuracy improved from “hours per day” to “minutes per day.” This also allowed for the addition of the minute hand.

2. The Escapement Evolution

The escapement is the heart of the watch, controlling the release of energy.

Verge Escapement: The original, used in early watches. Inaccurate and sensitive to position.
Cylinder Escapement: Invented by Thomas Tompion (1695) and refined by George Graham. Better accuracy, but still prone to wear.
Lever Escapement: Invented by Thomas Mudge in 1754. This is the standard for mechanical watches today. It is robust, accurate, and self-starting.

3. Temperature Compensation

Temperature changes affect the metal in the balance wheel, causing it to expand or contract, which alters accuracy.

The Breakthrough: In 1765, Pierre Le Roy invented the bimetalic temperature-compensated balance wheel.
How it Works: Two metals with different expansion rates are bonded together. As temperature changes, the shape of the wheel adjusts automatically to maintain the correct oscillation rate.
Result: Accuracy improved to a few seconds per day.

These innovations transformed the watch from a novelty into a precision instrument.

🏭 From Craft to Industry: The Era of Mass Production and Standardization

Video: The Invention of the Clock – Historical Curiosities – See U in History.

For centuries, every watch was a unique masterpiece, hand-fitted by a single artisan. But the Industrial Revolution changed everything.

The American Innovation

In the mid-19th century, the United States introduced the concept of interchangeable parts to watchmaking.

Aaron Lufkin Dennison: In 1851, he founded the Waltham Watch Company in Massachusetts.
The Method: Instead of hand-fitting every gear, Waltham used machines to produce identical parts. A gear from one watch would fit perfectly into another.
The Result: Watches became affordable for the middle class. The “American System” of watchmaking democratized timekeeping.

The Railroad Standard

As trains crisscrossed the continent, safety became paramount. A train running on the wrong time could cause a disaster.

Web C. Ball: In 1891, he established the first precision standards for railroad chronometers.
The Rules: Watches had to be inspected regularly, kept to within 30 seconds of accuracy, and have specific features like a lever-set movement and a minimum number of jewels.
Legacy: This era cemented the reputation of American brands like Elgin and Waltham as leaders in reliability.

For those interested in the intersection of history and affordability, check out our Affordable Watches guide to see how mass production influences modern pricing.

🤔 The Great Debate: When Did the Wristwatch Replace the Pocket Watch?

Video: A Brief History Of (Keeping) Time.

Here is the million-dollar question: When did the wristwatch actually take over?

The answer is not a single year, but a cultural shift driven by necessity.

The Early Wristwatches (1810–1890)

1810: Abraham-Louis Breguet creates the first wristwatch for the Queen of Naples.
1868: Patek Philippe makes a bracelet watch for the Countess Koscowicz.
Status: These were jewelry pieces for women. Men viewed wristwatches as effeminate and impractical.

The Turning Point: World War I (1914–1918)

The trenches of WWI changed everything.

The Problem: Soldiers needed to check the time quickly to coordinate attacks. Fumbling for a pocket watch was dangerous and slow.
The Solution: Soldiers began strapping pocket watches to their wrists using leather straps (often called “trench watches”).
The Result: By the end of the war, veterans returned home with a new habit. The wristwatch was no longer a “silly ass fad”; it was a tool of survival.

The Cultural Acceptance

By 1916, The New York Times declared the wristwatch a “permanent fixture.” The pocket watch didn’t disappear overnight, but the wristwatch had won the war.

✈️ The Trench Watch Revolution: How War Accelerated Wristwatch Adoption

Video: The Evolution of Watches: From Sundials to Smartwatches ⏳📲.

Let’s zoom in on the Trench Watch. This wasn’t just a fashion statement; it was a military necessity.

Design Features of Trench Watches

Wire Lugs: Early trench watches were often pocket watches with wire lugs soldered to the case to attach a strap.
Protective Grilles: To prevent the crystal from shattering in the mud and debris of the trenches, a metal grille was often added over the face.
Luminous Dials: With little light in the trenches, radium or tritium paint was used on hands and markers.
Shock Resistance: The watches were built to withstand the constant vibration of artillery fire.

Brands That Defined the Era

Rolex: Founded by Hans Wilsdorf, Rolex produced rugged wristwatches for officers. In 1910, they received the first chronometer certification for a wristwatch, and in 1914, they won an award from the Kew Observatory.
Cartier: The Santos de Cartier, designed in 1904 for pilot Alberto Santos-Dumont, became a symbol of the era. It was one of the first purpose-built wristwatches for men.
Longines: Produced many military-issued watches with large, legible dials.

The transition from pocket to wrist was complete by the 1920s. The automatic winding mechanism, invented by John Harwood in 1923, further cemented the wristwatch’s dominance by eliminating the need for daily winding.

⚡️ The Electric and Quartz Revolutions: Battery Power and the Timequake

Video: How did they make this in the 1800’s?!

If the balance spring was the first revolution, the Quartz Revolution was an earthquake.

The Electric Watch (1950s)

Before quartz, there were electric watches.

Hamilton: In 1957, Hamilton released the Accutron, the first electric watch. It used a tuning fork powered by a battery to vibrate at 360 Hz.
Accuracy: Much better than mechanical, but still not perfect.

The Quartz Shock (1969)

The Event: On December 25, 1969, Seiko released the 35 SQ Astron, the world’s first quartz wristwatch.
The Tech: It used a quartz crystal that vibrated at 8,192 Hz when electrified.
The Impact:
Accuracy: ±5 seconds per month (vs. ±30 seconds per day for mechanical).
Cost: Eventually, quartz watches became incredibly cheap to produce.
The Crisis: The Swiss watch industry nearly collapsed. Hundreds of brands went bankrupt. This period is known as the Quartz Crisis.

The Modern Quartz Era

Today, quartz is the standard for accuracy and affordability.

Citizen: In 2019, Citizen introduced a movement accurate to ±1 second per year.
Bulova: Uses a high-frequency quartz movement (262.14 kHz) for a smooth sweeping second hand.
Furlan Mari: Brought the “mecha-quartz” movement back to Swiss watchmaking, winning the Horological Revelation Prize in 2021.

Despite the dominance of quartz, mechanical watches have survived as luxury items and art forms, valued for their craftsmanship rather than just their accuracy.

📡 The Age of Accuracy: Radio-Controled, Atomic, and GPS Timekeeping

Video: The Rise of Japanese Watches (& How the Swiss Lost).

In the 21st century, we don’t just want accuracy; we want perfection.

Radio-Controled Watches

Junghans: In 190, Junghans released the MEGA 1, the first radio-controlled analog watch.
How it Works: The watch receives a time signal from atomic clocks (like DCF7 in Germany or WWVB in the US) and adjusts itself automatically.
Accuracy: Perfect time, every day.

Atomic Watches

Bathys Hawaii: In 2013, they introduced the Cesium 13, a watch with a tiny atomic clock chip inside.
Accuracy: One second in 10 million years.
Limitation: The chip is large, and the battery life is short (30 hours).

GPS Timekeeping

Modern smartwatches and high-end GPS watches (like those from Garmin or Sunto) sync with satellites to get the exact time, regardless of location.

📱 The Digital Frontier: How Smartwatches Redefined the Modern Wristwatch

Video: Two Master Watchmakers Show How Difficult It Is To Make A Perfect Watch | Great Works | Daily Mail.

The story of the watch didn’t end with quartz. It evolved into the smartwatch.

A Brief History of the Smartwatch

1980s: Steve Mann developed the Linux Watch, often cited as the first smartwatch.
190s: Samsung launched the SPH-WP10, the first watch phone.
204: Microsoft released SPOT, a subscription-based smartwatch.
2012: Peble raised $10.3 million on Kickstarter, sparking the modern smartwatch boom.
2015: Apple released the Apple Watch, turning the smartwatch into a mainstream phenomenon.

What Do Smartwatches Do?

Health Tracking: EKG, blood oxygen, heart rate monitoring.
Notifications: Calls, texts, emails.
Navigation: GPS mapping.
Payment: Contactless payments.

The Coexistence

Today, we have a unique market where mechanical, quartz, and smart watches coexist.

Mechanical: For heritage, art, and luxury.
Quartz: For reliability and affordability.
Smart: For connectivity and health.

As we look to the future, the question remains: Will the smartwatch replace the mechanical watch entirely? Or will they continue to serve different purposes?

💡 Quick Tips and Facts: 7 Mind-Blowing Details About Watch History

Let’s recap the most fascinating tidbits we’ve uncovered on this journey through time.

The First Wristwatch was a Gift: Abraham-Louis Breguet made the first wristwatch in 1810 for Queen Caroline Murat of Naples. It was a bracelet-style timepiece, not a tool for men.
Peter Henlein’s “Egs” were Inaccurate: The famous “Nuremberg Eggs” of the 150s could lose several hours a day. They were jewelry, not precision instruments.
The Minute Hand is a Teenager: The minute hand wasn’t added to watches until the late 17th century, after the invention of the balance spring made it possible to read minutes accurately.
War Made the Wristwatch: Men didn’t wear wristwatches until World War I. The trenches forced soldiers to strap watches to their wrists for quick time checks.
The Quartz Crisis: In 1969, Seiko released the first quartz watch, causing a global crisis that wiped out hundreds of Swiss watch brands.
Atomic Time on Your Wrist: Modern radio-controlled and atomic watches can keep time to within one second in a million years.
Smartwatches Aren’t New: The first digital watch with an LED display was the Pulsar in 1972. The concept of a “smart” watch has been around for decades.

For more insights into the world of horology, visit our Fashion Trends in Watches section to see how these historical shifts influence modern style.

🏆 Conclusion: The Endless Evolution of the Watch

So, when were watches invented?

The answer is a tapestry of dates:

15th Century: The first portable clocks (the ancestors of watches).
1505: Peter Henlein creates the first “watch” (a heavy, inaccurate drum).
1810: The first wristwatch is made for a Queen.
1904: The first purpose-built men’s wristwatch (Cartier Santos) is created.
1914-1918: The wristwatch becomes the standard for men due to WWI.
1969: The quartz revolution changes the industry forever.
2015: The smartwatch redefines the wrist again.

The watch has evolved from a status symbol to a tool of war, to a precision instrument, and finally to a digital companion. Yet, despite the rise of smartphones and smartwatches, the mechanical watch remains a beloved icon of human ingenuity.

Why do we still wear watches?
Because a watch is more than just a timekeeper. It is a piece of history, a work of art, and a symbol of our enduring desire to master time.

Whether you prefer the intricate mechanics of a Patek Philippe, the rugged reliability of a Seiko, or the connectivity of an Apple Watch, there is a watch for every story.

Ready to find your perfect timepiece?
Check out our Men’s Watches collection or explore our Guide to Buying Watches for expert advice on choosing the right watch for your lifestyle.

🔗 Recommended Links

Top Brands to Explore

Seiko: Shop Seiko on Amazon | Seiko Official Website
Cartier: Shop Cartier on Amazon | Cartier Official Website
Rolex: Rolex Official Website (Note: Rolex does not sell directly on Amazon)
Citizen: Shop Citizen on Amazon | Citizen Official Website
Junghans: Shop Junghans on Amazon | Junghans Official Website

Books for Watch Enthusiasts

“Wristwatch Annual” by Peter Braun: A comprehensive guide to the best watches of the year. Find on Amazon
“The Watch Book” by Gisbert L. Bruner: An illustrated history of watchmaking. Find on Amazon
“Watchmaking” by George Daniels: The definitive guide to the art of watchmaking. Find on Amazon

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are some of the key factors to consider when choosing a high-quality watch from a reputable brand?

When choosing a high-quality watch, consider the movement (mechanical vs. quartz), materials (stainless steel, gold, ceramic), water resistance, and brand heritage. A reputable brand like Rolex or Omega offers proven reliability and resale value. Always check for chronometer certification if precision is a priority.

How have watches become a status symbol and what role do luxury watch brands play in this?

Watches became status symbols in the 16th century when they were rare and expensive. Today, luxury brands like Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet maintain this status through limited production, hand-craftsmanship, and heritage. Owning a luxury watch signals success, taste, and an appreciation for art.

What are the different types of watches and how do they vary in terms of purpose and functionality?

Mechanical: Powered by a mainspring, requires winding. Valued for craftsmanship.
Quartz: Powered by a battery and quartz crystal. Known for accuracy and low maintenance.
Smartwatch: Digital, connects to smartphones, tracks health.
Chronograph: Includes a stopwatch function.
Diver: High water resistance, rotating bezel.
Pilot: Large dials, high legibility, often with GMT functions.

Who are some of the key figures in the development of watches and what were their contributions?

Peter Henlein: Credited with the first portable watches (150s).
Christiaan Huygens: Invented the balance spring (1675).
Thomas Mudge: Invented the lever escapement (1754).
Abraham-Louis Breguet: Created the first wristwatch (1810) and many other innovations.
Louis Cartier: Designed the first men’s pilot’s wristwatch (1904).
Kikuo Ibe: The “father of the G-Shock,” revolutionized shock resistance.

What are some of the most significant innovations in watchmaking and when were they introduced?

Mainspring (140s): Enabled portability.
Balance Spring (1675): Improved accuracy.
Lever Escapement (1754): Standardized mechanical accuracy.
Quartz Movement (1969): Revolutionized accuracy and affordability.
Radio-Controled (190): Synchronized with atomic clocks.
Smartwatch (2015): Integrated digital functionality.

How have watches changed in terms of design and functionality throughout the years?

Design has evolved from heavy, drum-shaped “Nuremberg Eggs” to sleek, ergonomic wristwatches. Functionality has expanded from simple timekeeping to include chronographs, GMT, moon phases, health tracking, and connectivity. The shift from pocket to wrist was the most significant design change.

What is the history of timekeeping and how has it evolved over time?

Timekeeping began with sundials and water clocks, moved to tower clocks, then portable clocks, and finally wristwatches. The evolution was driven by the need for portability, accuracy, and convenience.

When was the first watch invented?

The first portable timepieces (often called watches) appeared in the 15th century. Peter Henlein is often credited with creating the first “watch” around 1505.

Did people have watches in the 180s?

Yes, but they were primarily pocket watches. Wristwatches existed but were rare and mostly worn by women as jewelry. Men adopted wristwatches widely after World War I.

Who invented the wristwatch in 1904?

Louis Cartier designed the Santos de Cartier in 1904 for aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont. It is considered the first purpose-built men’s wristwatch.

Did they have watches in the 170s?

Yes, pocket watches were common in the 170s. They were worn on chains and were symbols of wealth. The balance spring and lever escapement were developed during this century, improving accuracy.

Were watches a thing in the 180s?

Absolutely. The 180s saw the mass production of pocket watches (e.g., Waltham, Elgin) and the first wristwatches for women (e.g., Breguet, Patek Philippe).

📚 Reference Links

Wikipedia: History of watches
The 1916 Company: The Invention of the Wristwatch: How It Changed Timekeeping
Tedy Baldassare: When Were Wrist Watches Invented?
Seiko: The Seiko Astron: The First Quartz Watch
Rolex: Rolex History
Cartier: Santos de Cartier History
Junghans: MEGA 1: The First Radio-Controled Watch
Patek Philippe: The First Wristwatch
Breguet: Abraham-Louis Breguet Biography
Smithsonian Institution: The History of Timekeeping