We’re back with a new 3 part series on the evolution of technology in watches from wind up to today’s smart watch offerings.
The earliest timepieces were the sundials of ancient Egyptian and Babylonian astronomy (3500 BC). Of no use at night and also terribly inaccurate, they told time by measuring shadow lengths. These limitations of the sundial inspired man to develop devices that could accurately measure time without the aid of the sun.
Today we have the good fortune to have astonishingly advanced time-keeping movements that are able to travel with us on our wrists and if you’re a vintage mechanical pocket watch carrier you can carry them at all times too.
The advancement of the timepiece continues to thrive and advance as we develop the technology even further, forever testing limits.
In part one we take a look back to where it all began.
What did1506 hold?
Almost 6 decades, (56 years to be precise), after the printing press arrived on the scene, the first ever mechanical clock came in the fray. These movements were powered by a mechanism known as an escapement. The clock would tick away running on a steady rhythm, allowing the gears to move forward with equal jumps. This had proved to be superior technology that was in stark contrast of the clock it replaced. The water clock or clepsydra, which had been the time device of the day for well over a millennium was ousted as the mantle was handed over to the mechanical clock. Around the same time, an even more impressive addition to the timekeeping revolution was invented.
For more on this series visit our blog page and keep your eyes peeled for the next instalment.
