Who invented the clock?

Anyone who deals intensively with watches eventually asks the question: "Who invented the watch?" The question is not so easy to answer, after all, there was already the sundial early in history, various types of water and hourglasses, as well as many other options, which mainly took nature as a model. However, there is one person to whom, at least in Germany, the invention of the body-wearable watch is attributed.

Watches can serve different purposes. As classic timekeepers, they are found in almost every household, and even there, watches are usually associated with aesthetic demands. Wristwatches have a significantly higher value, whose use goes far beyond just telling time. Wristwatches and especially luxury watches are collector's and jewelry pieces that can experience a high increase in value. Those who have such a passion for watches certainly ask themselves the question: "Who invented the watch?"

A little time travel of the watch

In this context, of course, the question arises as to which form of watch is meant. More than 2,000 years ago, the so-called "shadow stick" was known in China, while the Babylonians applied the sexagesimal system with the base number 60. The Egyptians relied on obelisks as sundials or on water watches that were not dependent on the sun. The latter were technically improved by the Greeks and were even more advanced for use. In India, there were still stick watches, and in Europe, hourglasses were extremely popular for a long time. But was the invention of the watch meant by this?

Collector’s Piece Limited

Cartier

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Cartier Tortue 18 ct gold automatic men's watch CRW1548151, W1548151 LP: 173000EUR Limited [2505652] Sale price89.950€

Collector’s Piece Limited

IWC

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IWC Portuguese platinium automatic men's watch IW502219 LP: 54600EUR Limited [2504091] Sale price26.850€

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Patek Philippe

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Patek Philippe Calatrava 18 ct white gold automatic men's watch 5296G-010 LP: 43802EUR [2602775] Sale price22.250€

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Patek Philippe Gondolo 18 ct gold manual winding men's watch 3599/1 Vintage [2603164] Sale price21.450€

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Vacheron & Constantin

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Vacheron & Constantin Traditionnelle 18 ct red gold manual winding men's watch 82172/000R-H008 LP: 26800EUR [2600764] Sale price18.250€ Regular price18.950€

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Vacheron & Constantin

Fiftysix

Vacheron & Constantin Fiftysix steel automatic men's watch 4000E/000A-B439 [2603528] Sale price17.950€

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Rolex

Daytona

Rolex Daytona chronograph steel / gold automatic men's watch 116523 [2602965] Sale price17.250€

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Audemars Piguet

Code 11.59

Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 steel automatic men's watch 15210ST.OO.A056KB.01 LP: 25800EUR [2603009] Sale price17.250€ Regular price17.850€

Who invented the body-wearable watch?

The watch variants just described have one thing in common – they are all not wearable on the body and are generally rather inaccurate. After all, from the 13th century there were efforts to miniaturize watches to make them more portable. In 1510, it was probably Peter Henlein (1479-1542) who succeeded and to whom the invention of the body-wearable watch is attributed. The locksmith master and watchmaker from Nuremberg had a watch in the shape of a musk apple or an egg or can shape.

The watches we nowadays refer to as wristwatches had little to do with this back then. The first jewelry watches with great emphasis on appearance and aesthetics were made in the 19th century. These are the predecessors of today's Chronographs and Pilot watches, which enjoy great popularity.