The First Woman\'s Wristwatch

In the year 1571 or 1572, an Earl of Leicester presented Elizabeth I with a watch studded with diamonds hanging from an armlet. Historians say this was the ancestor of the woman\'s wristwatch.

References to watches \"set into a bracelet\" were referenced as far back as the 1700\'s. Collections in both private homes and in museums display ring-watches. Bracelet-watches dating from the early 19th century are the oldest specimens known.

Sometimes a large dial set into a gold bracelet was obviously a working piece that was functional in its time, although decorative. Whether or not a piece was functional or merely decorative was evidenced in the appearance of the watch face. If it was large and easy to read with clearly visible numbers then common sense dictated that it was a functional piece. Pieces that were mainly decorative were usually adorned with pearls, diamonds, rubies and other precious gemstones. Occasionally these gems would obscure part of the watch face or be inlaid in a cover that fit over the watch face, hiding it. Very often it was unknown that it was a watch at all.

In 1811, a jeweler called Nitot of Napolean I delivered two bracelets inlaid with pearls and emeralds. In one he had designed a watch and the other a calendar.

Though jewelry was the main inspiration in the 1880\'s, the dial was no longer hidden under a cover. Cartier in 1888 made its first models with gold bracelets and open faces.

Wristwatches at one time were made exclusively for the fairer sex and were called \"wristlets\". Men of that century still kept time with the use of a watch carried on a chain. They thought the \"wristlet\" was nothing but a silly bauble for women. Little did they know that there would come a time when the wristwatch formerly designed solely for women would become a necessary item for war and men.

Jewelry inspired watches remained in evidence through the 19th century. Watch bracelets were large and engravers and jewel-setters had great room for expression. Watches with a jewel in the center suggested that the piece was intended to be mainly ornamental. Often a miniature timepiece was concealed which could be removed and worn on a \"sautoir.\" Some of these bracelet watches were signed by Gregson or another Parisian watchmaker named Caillot, there were many others.

At the close of the 19th century, some firms were staking all they had on wristwatches, though some countries rejected them. Gallet et Cie sent watches to his agent in New York and they were quickly returned. Nonetheless, Longines supplied Baume & Mercier, then Baume et Cie, with ladies watches.

Mass-production of women\'s wrist watches began by Omega in 1902. With mass-production the price of watches went down and many more styles were produced. Early on watches that were mass-produced were very plain and purely functional. As time went on the women\'s wristwatch became more and more stylish and at times, outrageous and manufacturers explored this new avenue for fashion expression.