Clock Lord

The wristwatch is a remarkable development that we have benefited from in every way. Developed by Patek Philippe in 1868, the wristwatch was intended as jewelry and was to be worn by women as a bracelet.  The design was sleek and very suitable for women only.  The man’s wristwatch was designed for practical uses.  It was designed in 1904 by Louis Cartier, a French watch maker, for his friend Alberto Santos-Dumont, an early aviator.  

During World War I, the wrist watch gained popularity.  It was no longer considered the watch of the aviator but this watch was used by common men.  The pocket watch, which was used mainly by the middle class, was no longer the watch of choice, the enlisted men of the military usually owned wristwatches.  Wristwatches were more convenient in battle, and easier to use when coordinating attacks became necessary, therefore the use of the wristwatch was much more common.  Another fact:  Wristwatches were found to be needed in the air for the military pilots because of their convenience over the pocket watch.  The wristwatch was just more practical.  Army contractors manufactured watches en masse, for both infantry and pilots.  The A-11 was a popular watch among American airmen, with its simple black face and clear white numbers, this World War II watch was designed for easy readability.   

We are quite use to having and owning a wristwatch and taking the workmanship behind it’s development for granted. Keep in mind the progress which has been made in the development of time keeping.  It has not always been so practical to have a timepiece on the wrist.  We have been introduced to a world of change and the discovery of digital technology has improved our timekeeping techniques tremendously.