Pocket Watch

History of pocket watches

The existence of vintage unisex pocket watches goes back to the sixteenth century when it was very popular until after the world war one when the wristwatch was introduced. In the sixteenth century before after the first world war when wristwatches were introduced, trench watches were introduced but were mostly used by the military. During those times the pocket watch was a sign of wealth and so anyone who owned a pocket watch was very much respected. The watches in that era were mainly made with very expensive metals and so was not easily affordable by the lower class citizens. For more decorative effects devices such as cigar cutters, watch winding key or vesta cases are attached to the pocket watches to give them exotic look. Another trend was pocket watch tattoos which became quite popular because it symbolizes the importance of time and carries a lot of meaning for those who go for it. The trick to the tattoo is to leave the time on a time of an anniversary, a birthdate, or even in memory of a loved one who you lost. The inventor of watches is known as Peter Heinlein but sometimes spelled as Henle or Hele but refers to the same person. Born in 1485 till August 1542, Heinlein was from Nuremberg, Germany he trained as a clockmaker and a locksmith. The watches, in the beginning, were made in small sizes and used as pendants for necklaces or chains around the neck.
His invention of a pocket watch in 1524 however, made him more popular as this invention spread across Europe very fast during the sixteenth century. To be recognized in society as someone with a class or as a gentleman you had to own a pocket watch. Due to its importance pocket watches were passed on from generation to generation and treasured especially when the pocket watch was made of platinum or gold. For safety and comfort, small pockets were made in jackets to accommodate the watches because of their value. To show wealth and class men in the sixteenth century had their pocket watches customized to feel more important. The metal used to produce your watch and style of your pocket watch showed your class in society. Those considered to be of ‘lower class’ also owned pocket watches which might have been passed on from generations, the difference is that their watches were made of fewer quality metals such as bronze or silver. Traditionally the name was given to the see-through cover part of the watch where the dial is crystal because of the glass cover.