The history of the wristwatch is female...

When the first watches were worn around 1900, few would have imagined that they would be the watch form of the future. But by the end of the 20th century, around one billion wristwatches were being produced annually. We plan to report on this boom of the wristwatch in a new series in the coming months. You can learn how it all began today.

The wristwatch is female

As early as the 19th century, there were ornate bracelets that could house a small ladies' pocket watch. However, these pieces of jewelry were not designed for practical timekeeping.

It was unthinkable for men to wear such timepieces, which were considered "effeminate." Well into the 20th century, the "gentleman of the world" still used pocket watches.

Women's clothing is not suitable for pocket watches

The delicate mechanism of these small watches was well protected in men's vest pockets. But there was no room for such watches in women's blouses, skirts, or dresses. Traditional women's clothing did not have pockets.

As more and more women entered the workforce after 1900, they had to adapt to the pace of industrial society. Regular working hours and daily office routines required frequent glances at their watches, which female employees now wore on their wrists. But housewives also quickly realized how practical it was to have their watches, previously worn on a chain, out of reach of children.

From a temporary solution to a “real” wristwatch

Initially, pocket watches were housed in coarse leather cases, which were fastened around the wrist with a strap. There were also metal clasps into which the watch could be clipped. Watchmakers often converted ladies' pocket watches into wristwatches by simply attaching two wire loops for the leather strap.

Shortly before the First World War, there were already "real" wristwatches for women. Thiel in Ruhla, Thuringia, launched "Darling," the first German wristwatch, in 1912.

Thiel hoped to also sell this wristwatch to athletes and military personnel. However, it wasn't until after the First World War that the wristwatch became "everybody's darling."

Source: German Clock Museum Blog