1. Evolution of Watches By: Kate Whittemore

2. Preview • First Watch • Balance Spring • Timeline • Spread of Watches • Influence of Quartz • Influence on Society

3. First Watch • First watch around 1500 made by Peter Henlein in Germany • Had dial and hour hand • Later called “Nuremberg eggs” because of their shape (www.nwta.com)

4. Balance Spring • Made in 1675 • Balance or hair spring made watches accurate so they were only off about five minutes a day • Credit was given to Christian Huygens of Holland (www.europastar.com)

5. Timeline (www.forbes.com) First self-winding watches First chronographs First waterproof watches Girard-Perregaux produced in quantity 1915 1926 1880 1899-1902 1909 1912 1932 1957 First electric watch, “Hamilton Ventura” First date watches Caught on with military types in Boer War Rolex patented first “Oyster” watch

6. Spread of Watches • Military and women were main reason for spread of watches • Without their popularity as jewelry, watches might not have survived the 20th century (www.forbes.com)

7. Influence of Quartz • Appearance of cheap quartz technology caused Swiss watchmakers to lose jobs • Values of watches in the U.S. have gone down since quartz was added • Employment in the Swiss watch industry has gone from 90,000 jobs in 1970 to 40,000 today (www.forbes.com)

8. Influence on Society • Society is “on time” • As watches became more accurate, the people’s obsession with time grew • Reflex to look down at wristwatch • Reflects personality and lifestyle • Shows a person’s wealth (www.forbes.com)

9. Summary • First Watch • Balance Spring • Timeline • Spread of Watches • Influence of Quartz

10. Bibliography • Dave West Clocks (2005). Electronic Reference: Restoration of an Eureka Battery Clock. Retrieved August 26, 2005 from http://www.davewestclocks.co.uk/Eureka%20battery%20clock.htm • Forbes (1996). Electronic Reference: The World’s Best Watches. Retrieved August 26, 2005 from http://www.forbes.com/2003/12/03/cx_ns_1203guide.html • ISA Swiss Movement (1999). Electronic Reference: Questions in Time. Retrieved August 26, 2005 from http://www.europastar.com/europastar/watch_tech/nicolet6.jsp • The Northwest Territory and Environment (2003). Electronic Reference: A Brief History of Watches. Retrieved August 26, 2005 from http://www.nwta.com/couriers/10-96/watches.html