Watches have been around for centuries, and they have witnessed some of the most remarkable events and achievements of humanity. Whether you are a watch enthusiast or a casual wearer, you might be surprised by some of the fascinating facts about watches that we have compiled in this article.
From the most expensive watch ever sold to the most complicated watch ever made, here are 9 amazing facts from the world of watches that will blow your mind.
1. The First Ever Wristwatch Was Made For a Countess… Well, Maybe!
You might think that wristwatches are a modern invention, but they actually date back to the 19th century.
Depending on what you believe the honour of this record could date further back, but officially the first wristwatch was made by Patek Philippe in 1868 for Countess Koscowicz of Hungary.
It was a gold bracelet with a small clock face attached to it. The countess wanted a watch that she could wear on her wrist instead of carrying a pocket watch or a pendant watch.
At that time, wristwatches were considered feminine accessories, while men preferred pocket watches. It was not until the 20th century that wristwatches became popular among men, especially after they were used by soldiers in World War I.
2. The Most Expensive Watch Ever Sold Cost $31 million
If you think that watches are just a thing to tell the time, think again.
Some watches are also works of art, and they can fetch astronomical prices at auctions. The most expensive watch ever sold at auction was the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A, which fetched $31.19 million in 2019.
It was a one-of-a-kind watch with 20 complications, including a perpetual calendar, a minute repeater, and a chimed alarm. It also had two dials, one in black and one in rose gold, that could be reversed by flipping the case. Amazing!
3. The Oldest Watch Brand in The World is Blancpain
Blancpain is one of the most prestigious watch brands in the world, and it is also the oldest. The company was founded in 1735 in Villeret, Switzerland, by Jehan-Jacques Blancpain.
The company has produced some of the most complicated and exquisite timepieces in history and its most famous collection is probably the iconic Fifty Fathoms, which is widely recognised as one of the, if not THE first modern diving watch.
4. The First Watch to go to The Moon Was The Omega Speedmaster
The Omega Speedmaster is one of the most iconic watches in the world, and it has a special place in space history.
The watch was worn by astronaut Buzz Aldrin during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969, when he became the second person to walk on the moon.
The Omega Speedmaster was chosen by NASA as the official watch for its astronauts because of its reliability, accuracy, and durability. The watch is still used by NASA today, and it is also extremely popular among collectors and enthusiast.
5. The First “Smartwatch” Was the Seiko RC-1000
Smartwatches are not a new phenomenon. There is argument over what truly constitutes a smartwatch but we have chosen the Seiko RC-1000 as the first “true” smartwatch.
The Seiko RC-1000 was launched in 1984, and it could connect to a computer via a cable and users could interact with their watches and share information.
The Seiko RC-1000 was a pioneer in the field of wearable technology, and it paved the way for more advanced smartwatches in the future.
6. The Most Complicated Watch Ever Made Has 57 Complications
If you think a lot of your favourite watches are impressive, wait until you hear about the Vacheron Constantin Reference 57260.
This watch is the most complicated watch ever made, and it has 57 complications, or functions, that go beyond the basic display of hours, minutes, and seconds.
Some of the complications include a Hebrew calendar, a lunar calendar, a star chart, and a double retrograde split-seconds chronograph.
The watch also has four barrels that provide a power reserve of 60 hours. The watch took eight years to assemble, and it weighs almost a kilogram. It is a masterpiece of horological engineering, and it is estimated to be worth over $10 million. Yikes!
7. The First Watch That Could Be Worn While Swimming Was The Rolex Oyster
Rolex is one of the most famous and respected watch brands in the world, and it is also one of the most innovative.
The company was the first to create a watch that could be worn while swimming, the Rolex Oyster, which was introduced in 1926. The watch had a patented screw-down crown and caseback that made it waterproof up to 100 meters.
The watch was famously worn by Mercedes Gleitze, who swam across the English Channel in 1927, wearing the watch around her neck. The watch survived the 10-hour swim!
8. The First Quartz Watch Was The Seiko Astron
Quartz watches are the most common and affordable type of watches today, but they were once a revolutionary invention.
The first quartz wristwatch was the Seiko Astron, which was launched in 1969. Quartz watches revolutionized the watch industry, and they became the dominant technology by the 1980s. Quartz watches are also more durable, resistant to shocks, and require less maintenance than mechanical watches.
9. The First Watch That Had a Digital Display Was The Hamilton Pulsar
Digital watches are another type of watches that have become extremely popular in the modern era, especially with the advent of smartwatches.
However, the first watch that had a digital display was not a smartwatch, but a simple LED watch. The Hamilton Pulsar was released in 1972, and it had a red LED screen that showed the time by pressing a button.
The watch was popularized by James Bond in the movie Live and Let Die, where he used it as a remote detonator. The Hamilton Pulsar was a futuristic and stylish watch, and it inspired many other digital watches.
Conclusion
Watches have been around for centuries, and they have witnessed some of the most remarkable events and achievements of humanity.
In this article, we have shared 9 amazing facts from the world of watches that will blow your mind. We hope that you have learned something new and interesting about watches, and that you have gained a deeper appreciation for these wonderful timepieces.
If you enjoyed this article, please share it with your friends and family, and feel free to share your own watch-related stories or facts in the comments.
Don’t forget to check out our other articles on watches and related topics. Thank you for reading!
