Brief History of the Watchmaking Industry

Watches have souls. Watches experience and witness the ups and downs of people's lives. They are not just tools of timekeepers; instead, they are also great life companions. In fact, watches do not come from no where. Behind the development of watchmaking, a long history exists,  exposing the background of the era.

In the first stage of the watch-making industry, early clocks were regarded as royal luxuries or used in a precise scientific context. They had no universal application. From the Renaissance, to the Industrial Revolution, to the Technological Revolution, handmade watches have been a symbol of social status. Queen Victoria, Princess Diana, Albert Einstein, and Tchaikovsky all favored handmade custom watches made by independent watchmakers. 

                                             

       

                                                   'Fabergé egg' Clock

In the second stage of the watch-making industry, technological and industrial advances brought revolution to the watchmaking industry. This made the masses able to be able to afford watches. In the meantime, we found that the watches people chose represent these individuals’ artistic philosophy, family spirit, and attitude towards life.

 

                                   Deep Space Tourbillon by Vianney Halter

The third stage in the world of watches and watch-making is underway. Time is not measured the way it is used to be. People now have remarkable time-telling conveniences embedded in cell phones, cars, microwaves, ipads and many other objects. This has created a drop in the demand for traditional watches. The efficiency of industrialization has brought our society great efficiency. At the same time, it has allowed humanity to lose important aspects of our history that can never be rewritten. The art of watchmaking faces this very threat today. While handmade watches still are treasured by rich watch collectors and are still on the market from specialized sellers and auction houses, much of the art of handcrafted watchmaking made by master craftsmen for loyal families has been lost to the world of electronics and commercialization. As a result, more and more ordinary watch owners lose their close connection with their watches.     

                                                       Digital Watch

More on history of watchmaking:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5v_vf8QZdw