Un clock It is a device and accessory widely used on the wrist, which helps us to know the time. The development of wristwatches began in the 17th century, although the use of other types of watches dates back much earlier. In today's market, we can find a wide variety of watches, from inexpensive models made of plastic to luxurious watches inlaid with precious stones.
In addition to their basic function of displaying time, many modern watches They include advanced technologies such as GPS, heart rate monitors and water resistance. These watches not only help us manage our time, but are also useful tools for athletes, explorers and those looking for additional functionality.
Types of watches today
There are three main types of watches on the market today, each with its own peculiarities:
- Analog: These traditional clocks use hands to indicate hours, minutes and, in some models, seconds.
- digital: Instead of hands, they display the time in numerical format on an electronic display.
- Mixed: Mixed models combine the two previous technologies, with analogue dials and digital displays.
When talking about watches, it is impossible not to mention prestigious brands such as Patek Philippe, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Rolex, among others. These brands are synonymous with luxury, precision and style. At the same time, there are more affordable and technologically advanced alternatives such as Casio y Seiko.
History of wristwatches
Pocket watches were the predecessors of wristwatches. At first, these portable devices were used exclusively by the upper class and had a chain to prevent accidental loss. However, during the World War I, pilots and soldiers needed a more practical way to tell the time, which led to pocket watches being strapped to their wrists or legs. This gave way to the development of the wristwatch, which is now an essential part of our lifestyle.
Evolution of watch types
Throughout history, the form and function of watches has changed considerably. From mechanical watches to modern digital and smart watches, the evolution shows that precision in timekeeping has been a constant quest. The main categories are described below:
- Sundial: The shadow cast by an object indicates the time according to the position of the sun in the sky. This was one of the first methods of measuring time.
- Clepsydra or water clock: Used by Egyptians and Chinese, this instrument measured time by the controlled flow of water between two containers, regardless of sunlight.
- Hourglass: It consists of two vessels connected by a narrow passage through which sand flows. It was a reliable device for continuous measurement of short intervals.
- mechanical watches: Emerging in Europe in the 1656th century, these devices used gears and weights to measure time. The invention of the pendulum in XNUMX by Christiaan Huygens greatly improved its accuracy.
- pendulum clock:With incredible accuracy for its time, the pendulum clock was the standard for centuries. However, it needed to remain stationary to function properly.
- Quartz watch:In 1927, the first quartz watch was developed, offering much greater precision thanks to the regular vibrations of a quartz crystal.
- Digital clock: Introduced in the 70s, these watches use LED or LCD displays to show time. Many of these watches include additional features such as stopwatches, alarms, calculators, and more.
Over time, time measurement has become increasingly precise, allowing for the creation of high-precision electronic clocks such as atomic clocks, which are used to calibrate other world time references.
Parts of a wristwatch
- Correa: Attaches the watch to the wrist, it can be made of metal, leather or rubber.
- Crystal: Protects the dial, often made of scratch-resistant materials such as sapphire or mineral crystal.
- Bezel: The edge that surrounds the watch crystal, can be fixed or rotating.
- Corona: Button that allows you to adjust the time.
- Dial: Where hours, minutes and, in some cases, seconds are displayed.
- Case: Container of all the internal mechanism of the watch, usually made of stainless steel, titanium or even gold in luxury watches.
Timeline of historical milestones in watches
The invention of the clock was not a single event, but an accumulation of technological advances throughout history.
- 3.500 BC:The Egyptians develop obelisks, a primitive tool to measure time according to the shadow of the sun.
- 400 BC: The clepsydra, or water clock, appears, which measures time according to the flow of water between two containers.
- 400 BC – 150 BCThe Greeks perfected the water clock, and adapted it with mechanisms that allowed time to be measured more precisely.
- XIV century:The first European mechanical clocks begin to appear in church towers and castles.
- 1656: Christiaan Huygens introduces the pendulum clock, greatly improving the accuracy of clocks.
- 1927: Warren Marrison and JW Horton develop the first quartz clock at Bell Laboratories.
- 1970: The first digital watch is launched, using LED displays to display the time.
Today, watches continue to evolve with the integration of smart technologies. smartwatches They allow for devices that not only display the time, but also monitor health, provide access to applications, and much more.
The history of watches is a story of constant evolution. This device has come a long way from Egyptian obelisks to the most advanced electronic watches and smartwatches. Its importance and usefulness have not diminished over time, but have adapted to the new needs of modern society.