The Wrist Watch, Another Military Innovation That Entered Mainstream Society
by teahupoo on 2007-09-23
As technology grows so does the methods of timekeeping. Most people own cell phones which are not only communication devices but also contain clocks as well. Blackberries also have clocks inside of them as do many of the other electronic gadgets that people carry around on a regular basis. Still with all of the different ways that the latest gadgets enable a person to tell the time, you will still see many with a wristwatch adorning their arms.
Wristwatches are not just timepieces but are actually considered to be pieces of jewelry. This means that no matter how many other ways a person can glance at the time, they will still proudly display a wristwatch whether they actually use it for the intent it was designed for.
Wristwatches come in various models and have become a way for a person to express their individuality and sense of style. The band of the watch itself comes in various materials such as leather or metal, vinyl and cloth. The colors and patterns that are available are too numerous to mention but there is not a person on earth that would be unable to find one that they feel defines what they are all about. The faces of wristwatches also come in all manners of shapes, sizes and colors. You can get one that is studded with diamonds or other gemstones, or opt for a plain round face without jeweled adornments. You can get faces that display a digital readout or one with old fashioned hands that depict the time. Many have built in alarm options so that you can be reminded of appointments that you need to keep.
Although wristwatches are worn by both men and women, it may interest you to know that they were originally designed for women alone. In times past, men would wear pocketwatches that were attached to a chain and literally kept in their pockets. Considering that the ladies back then did not wear any type of pants, this type of timepiece was not something that they could wear. Instead, they were given watches that could be worn on the wrist. These were called wristlets and were made popular after Queen Elizabeth began to wear one.
Oddly, wristlets were not expected to outlast the fashion trends of the time. It would surprise our ancestors to know that they are not only still in fashion but worn by men as well. These types of watches became popular with men in the military. If you consider that military personnel have to carry guns and other equipment, having to pull a pocketwatch out to check the time is not feasible. This is especially true when a mission needs to be carried out with synchronized timing from everyone. Wearing a wristwatch alleviated the need to pull out the pocket watch and a mere glance at it would ensure that all aspects of the missions were carried out on time. Busy people today wear watches for the reason of convenience.
Wristwatches are not just timepieces but are actually considered to be pieces of jewelry. This means that no matter how many other ways a person can glance at the time, they will still proudly display a wristwatch whether they actually use it for the intent it was designed for.
Wristwatches come in various models and have become a way for a person to express their individuality and sense of style. The band of the watch itself comes in various materials such as leather or metal, vinyl and cloth. The colors and patterns that are available are too numerous to mention but there is not a person on earth that would be unable to find one that they feel defines what they are all about. The faces of wristwatches also come in all manners of shapes, sizes and colors. You can get one that is studded with diamonds or other gemstones, or opt for a plain round face without jeweled adornments. You can get faces that display a digital readout or one with old fashioned hands that depict the time. Many have built in alarm options so that you can be reminded of appointments that you need to keep.
Although wristwatches are worn by both men and women, it may interest you to know that they were originally designed for women alone. In times past, men would wear pocketwatches that were attached to a chain and literally kept in their pockets. Considering that the ladies back then did not wear any type of pants, this type of timepiece was not something that they could wear. Instead, they were given watches that could be worn on the wrist. These were called wristlets and were made popular after Queen Elizabeth began to wear one.
Oddly, wristlets were not expected to outlast the fashion trends of the time. It would surprise our ancestors to know that they are not only still in fashion but worn by men as well. These types of watches became popular with men in the military. If you consider that military personnel have to carry guns and other equipment, having to pull a pocketwatch out to check the time is not feasible. This is especially true when a mission needs to be carried out with synchronized timing from everyone. Wearing a wristwatch alleviated the need to pull out the pocket watch and a mere glance at it would ensure that all aspects of the missions were carried out on time. Busy people today wear watches for the reason of convenience.
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