History of the Wristwatch

The history of the wristwatch is indeed short. Wristwatches did not begin to see widespread use until the 1920s. Men tended to regard the wristwatch as effeminate. So, the vintage Rolex men's watch pictured here (circa. 1910) is a relatively rare timepiece. Watches adapted to the wrist made sporadic appearances as early as the late 1500s. Queen Elizabeth I is said to have been given one. In the early 1800s the wristwatch made more frequent appearances when jewellery and watchmakers began creating gem encrusted timepieces for royalty.
Impact of War:
Toward the end of the 1800s, women began to embrace the wristwatch as an item of adornment. Despite the feminine association, the concept became accepted as indispensable to military campaigns as mechanization in war grew. The ability to read time with a quick glance rather than having to dig through pockets was critical in battle. Officers in the South African Boer war (1899-1902) used wristwatches. By World War I, military organizations began to demand them. They became especially crucial to ledgling aerial combat operations. As demand for wristwatches in warfare grew, rugged timepieces covered with metal grids were introduced. The first chronograph wristwatches were developed, and luminous hands and markers were developed.
The wristwatch between the Wars:
Following the war, automatic (self winding) wristwatches were created, drawing on technology used in pocket watches .. Initially they were unreliable, but were perfected by the late 1930s and early 1940s. In the 1920s, the wristwatch became the dominant means of timekeeping among both men and women. Then, as now, men seemed to prefer more rugged, sportier models, including chronographs. Rolex created the first water resistant watch which was worn unscathed by a woman channel swimmer in 1927. Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart strapped on wristwatches for their celebrated flights.
During the Great Depression, demand for wristwatches withered and many top watch making companies went out of business. Despite reversals, many design innovations were introduced.
With the advent of World War II, watches in most countries were an unattainable luxury and production ceased for all but military needs. Neutral Switzerland continued making wristwatches to fulfil military orders. Watches were developed for fighter pilots and for underwater specialties requiring far greater water resistance. Following World War II, civilian production resumed and many innovations were seen, leading to the 1957 introduction of the first electric battery powered wristwatch made by Hamilton Watch Company in America.