The birth of watch with wristband: interesting facts
Well-known watchmakers have innovated their timepieces with different types of straps. We usually take the watch bands for granted as it should have been always there. But do you know that wristwatches were once underappreciated until they were used for warfare in the 1900s? New York Times used to relate the wristbands to “a ‘silly ass’ fad”. Let’s have a look at the brief history of this so-common accessory!
In the 1700s, there was a great popularity of big pocket watches (which is the smaller version of clocks) due to people’s preference for having the time around with them when public clocks no longer drew enough their attention. The timepieces, therefore, were made smaller and easier to carry with accessories such as chains or straps.
A watch was regarded as a reliable investment for personal savings rather than an ordinary watch. In the 19th century in America, pocket watches accounted for up to 40-50% of total items that were used to pawn. From the middle to the end of the 19th century, there were innovations and development of watch manufacturing, railroads, factories and the standardization of time zones in America and European countries, leading to the increase in demand for watches around the world.
Wearing wristwatch was the female fashion trend until the watches with straps were used in the military in the Second Boer War in South Africa from 1899 to 1902. This conflict indirectly showed that wristwatches could be worn by men as well. During World War I, wristwatches were preferred by soldiers due to the requirement to have a timepiece around for communication through radio. The soldiers could see the time when necessary while holding their guns.
As the watches are exposed externally, the watchmakers were struggling to come up with solutions for good watches which are both precise and durable to survive during tough conditions of the wars. It was not until the end of this war, watch manufacturers made strap watches for men with more soldier-like and masculine design. Pocket watches were surpassed by timepieces with wristbands and became obsolete later in World War II. The wars unintentionally proved the reliability and usefulness of wristwatch and made the pocket watch obsolete.
Today, we have so many options for wristbands as an accessory for our beloved watches. Leather, nylon, stainless steel, gold, titanium, etc. can be good choices depending on personal preference. A watch is not just an accessory, it keeps a man company on his way, revealing his lifestyle and acting as a memory keeper. Do you know what makes your watch appreciate you? A stunning watch will be craving for the best accessory that is specially made for it. The handmade leather band from FinWatchStraps is the perfect answer that you’re looking for. As you are one of a kind in this universe, you deserve a band that is perfectly fit and customized for you. Our watch straps are crafted with love and care from selecting the material to the finished product. Best regard for high-quality bands from FinWatchStraps.
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Please, contact us for the watch bands' inquiries directly: finwatchstraps at gmail.com