We owe human civilisation, according to contemporary anthropology, to the attempts of early human beings to measure time more than 5,000 years ago: what appear to be decorative incisions on bones found in Africa have been interpreted as the first calendar entries, recording observations of the moon. One thing is certain: until technology superseded the sundial, which might be called a natural clock, a measurement of time both united and divided all mankind.

Compared to the approximately 700-year history of the mechanical wheel clock, the chronicle of the wristwatch seems quite modest at first glance. The 'normal' watches attached to bracelets or chains are known to have been made at various times beginning in the year 1571, while the "wristwatch" is mainly a product of the 20th century.

Around 1880, the firm Girad-Perregaux delivered the first mass-produced watches for German naval officers to wear on chains around their wrist, but like their descendants in the first decade of this century we cannot deny their close relationship to the pocket watch: shaped round or oval.

However, styling of wristwatches produced during that period was similar to that of pocket watches - the "12" was located by the winding stem as it had been in pocket watches. The first "Omega" wristwatches, which came in the market in 1905, had the winding stem by "9" since it was better protected from damage there.

With precisely the outbreak of World War I in 1914 and a quick direct impact in Switzerland, onto the market came wristwatches with protective grids over the glass (Trench Watches) with additional compasses, radium dials and hands, 24-hr indicator and chronographs. All of these were based, to a great extent, on the pocket watch.

Meanwhile, in France (1907), a wristwatch that no longer relied on the pocket watch for the styling had been created by Louis Cartier. The model created was "Santos". The model was created for Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont for ease of reading time while handling controls of his aircraft. This achievement was followed, some years later, by the model "Tank," based on a British vehicle used in a battle in 1916.

Finally, in the period before 1919 several Swiss watch-making firms were founded, contributing towards the worldwide success of the Swiss wristwatch.

By the 1920s, a technical innovation first appeared in the wristwatch and in the way it was being worn. An Englishman called John Harwood first introduced automatic winding.

Another milestone in styling of wristwatches was set by Hans Wilsdorf with his Rolex wristwatches, produced in Switzerland and sold in Britain around 1908. By 1926, Wilsdorf and his firm were able to patent the dust and waterproof "Oyster" case.

In 1930, the wristwatch had won a firm place on the wrist of people of different nations and professions. The trends set by film actors made a particularly broad impact.

In 1932, Rolex Montres, Wilsdorf patented internationally soundless and shock proof "Perpetual".

The close relationship between the wristwatch and fashion trends, the spirit of times, and requirements of the world market became clear at the beginning of the forties.

When short skirts and high-combed hairstyles prevailed in women's fashions, another optical trick appeared in the watch designs. Arched or faceted crystal watch glasses, as thick as possible, were used which continued and completed the form of the case. Also around that time precious metal like platinum began to become popular along with gold for watch manufacturers.

The end of World War II led to the rapid re-appearance of a wide variety of luxury "civilian" wristwatches. Useful add-ons, including the calendar and moon-phase indication, "perpetual" calendar, were offered. Then in 1948, the Swiss watch industry, in its endless realm of inventiveness, found an observation watch: a running reserve indication combined with self-winding.

In 1945, Rolex celebrated its fortieth anniversary by bringing out a legally protected Model 4467 "Datejust", a wristwatch with automatic winding, central second, digital date indication and a watertight case.

In the realm of complicated wristwatches, the fifties and then the sixties brought a vast variety even for the "common people". Along with automatic-winding wristwatches, there were other varieties too - wristwatches with digital date and day indication.

The first decade of the sixties showed a trend back to straight lines. Square and rectangular cases came back into fashion, sometimes with structured surfaces and wide-glass rims. The end of the sixties encountered another transitional product: the quartz calibres. Some of the other trends recorded were:

… the glorious entry of the electronic quartz watch saw the step-by-step retreat of the mechanical wristwatch. Great investment in technical innovations came to a stop.

… there arrived the digital multifunctional time piece, lacking all charm but announced every hour by a penetrating beeping.

… reappearance of the beautifully formed round wristwatch with time indication, the moon phase and the chronograph - all that had all been there before - with new quartz technology inside or with mechanical movements.

… came the colourful plastic wristwatch —- the Swatch and whatever other name it went by — to set up a new wave of fashion; the wristwatch a la mode, the colour to match any clothing, the right structure, moderately priced and nice to look at, a worldwide success — the designers really had their hands full.