Time has been of interest to people, who wanted to measure the passage of time more precisely. Mechanical clocks originally mounted in towers and other structures have given rise to watches. Modern watches still use the knowledge of watchmaking gained over centuries.
Portable pocket watches have existed for hundreds of years. At first, pocket watches were large, relatively inaccurate instruments that only the rich could afford. The watchmakers created increasingly more reliable and smaller movements. Watch movements had more gears, better mainsprings and escapements. Eventually, watches became a part of the life of many professions, especially the professions that relied a lot on time.
One of the best periods in the history of watchmaking was the transition from pocket watches to wrist watches. Manufacturers started experimenting with new materials and case designs and adding more functions to mechanical watches. In particular, mechanical watches with automatic movements were developed. Automatic watch movements do not need manual winding daily. The movement of a human hand keeps the watch’s movement winding.
Quartz watches became popular in the twentieth century. Quartz technology meant greater accuracy and lower cost of production. It was expected that traditional mechanical watchmaking would lose ground to electronic watches, and watches based on quartz movements.
Nevertheless, mechanical watches gained a second breath. Mechanical watches were appreciated by collectors. Today, watches are still produced. The watch movement is considered a piece of precision engineering as well as a piece of art.
Modern watchmaking combines traditional techniques with contemporary technologies such as computer-aided design, advanced materials, and highly specialized manufacturing equipment. Despite these advancements, many luxury watches still include hand-finished components and assembly processes that require years of training and experience to master.
The knowledge of the history of watchmaking helps students better understand the current watch making techniques and technologies. Every modern movement carries ideas and innovations developed over centuries by watchmakers seeking greater accuracy, reliability, and craftsmanship. Watchmaking will not stop its development. It will always remain a combination of science, technology, and craftsmanship.