History of Pocket Watches

Pocket watches were originally designed when springs were used in clocks instead of weights. In the beginning, pocket watches were worn by aristocrats to show wealth and status. Pocket watches were originally square and heavy. It made it difficult to be carried around, but aristocrats continued the fashion. After some time, watch makers began making their own designs, which led to an artistic, jewel quality to pocket watches. Thereafter, watch makers added precious gems such as emerald and diamonds.
The designs of the watches were open faced or closed with, what was known as a “fob chain,” which would attach to the inner jacket lapel or waist coat. This way, the watches were able to hang down in the jacket. These pocket watches were not very accurate at telling time until there were multiple railroad accidents. This made the watch makers add the minute hand in order to ensure accuracy among the railroads. This invention led to less railroad accidents because the railroad centers had better timing techniques along the railroad.
The pocket watch look became the high fashion until the 20th century with the introduction of wristwatches. Wristwatches became the more practical way to tell time and became the fashion of the century. Today, pocket watches are still used by some to show aristocratic class, and they will always be remembered as the sophisticated businessman’s watch.