TIMELINE... a concise history of ladies wristwatches 1571

Queen Elizabeth I is known to have received a gift of a small timepiece in 1571. Robert Dudley gave her the watch encased in a bracelet, the first known wristwatch in England.

Women were at least five decades if not more than a century ahead of the first mens wristwatch, a watch made for a pilot in the early 1900s. Ladies wristwatches became a popular jewelry accessory, often encrusted with precious jewels and diamonds. At left a wristwatch made for the Countess Koscowicz of Hungary.

1890s

One of the oldest known bracelet-watches. Movement signed Capt & Freundler à Genève, 1813 can be viewed at the Musée d’Horlogerie du Locle, Switzerland 19 20

The first wristwatches with leather bands appeared in the late 19th century. English noblewomen found them most practical when hunting on horseback.

Women adopted the wristwatch for its modern avant garde image and were encouraged to own several and adapt them to their outfits and activities.

1868 1927 1950s 1970’s

Rolex patents its first “Oyster watch” with a waterproof case and screw-in crown.

Mercedes Gleitse swims the English Channel wearing one. She emerges after 15 hours with the watch working perfectly.

Women's watches were rarely seen in the conservative 1950s and when ladies did wear these items they usually wore the type that has a leather strap like a belt to fasten them to the wrist.

During the quartz dominated 70s the ladies wristwatch was reduced to its most simple expression and opened up endless possibilities for style and elegance

Women's watches with mechanical craftsmanship and quality made a comeback during the 1990s and into the 2000s. Watch wearers recognized the benefits and pleasure of interacting with a mechanical device as part of their daily routine.

A luxury timepiece interests a buyer, not because |it’s made from gold or it’s studded with diamonds (though these have an effect on the value too) but because of its history, craftsmanship and exclusivity.

Two-tone gold watches are all the rage for the new age femme fatale. The touch of yellow gold adds just the right dose of feminine beauty to the pieces.