Pocket Watches

Brief history of the pocket watch

Pocket watches have a long and fascinating history that traces their development for use by the upper classes to their eventual status as a compulsory tool for the working classes over the period of a few centuries.

Pocket watches were first referred to in correspondence between craftsmen and members of the upper class in the fifteenth century, and it is believed that an early prototype of the pocket watch was worn in this era around the neck.

Historical figures such as the Duke of Modena, the Marchese di Manta and Meshur Sheyh Dede were all known to have used the first pocket-watch designs.

The first wristwatch was made for Queen Elisabeth I in 1571, but they did not beome common with a further minaturisation of the pocket watch until the late nineteenth century, and then only for women, this remained custom until the early twentieth century, when men began sporting wristwatches in Europe as a fashion accessory.

These early pocket watches were likely very heavy and rather inaccurate and certainly would only have included an hour-hand. In the years that followed many craftspeople, particularly blacksmiths, began to develop pocket-watch designs.