Watch History (abridged version)

One of the earliest scientific instruments known to man is the sundial. Different examples of sundials have been found dating back to the 15th century B.C. in Egypt and also from the early Greeks. These dials were the size of large statues and usually remained in one place, maybe the village square or main part of town. Smaller versions of sundials that were adapted for personal use first appeared in Roman times and remained popular well into the 19th century.

A sundial works by measuring the hour-angle of the Sun. Most sundials that are found in today's gardens work this way. The object on top of the dial that casts the shadow is called a gnomon (no-mon). It is mounted so that it is parallel with the axis of the Earth. This "hour-angle" dial shows solar time correctly throughout the year without the necessity of adjusting them to a specific date. Usually, a chart is provided so that you could convert solar time to clock time.

As technology improved throughout the history of man, many more machines were developed to measure the passage of time. Weight driven clocks were constructed in Europe in the 14th century. At first, weights were used with protrusions that would slow the falling of the weights. It was later realized that accuracy could be increased if a pendulum was used to control the weights. And so, the familiar sight of a wall clock with the weights and pendulum enclosed within it was created.

By the end of the 15th century, springs started to replace the weights and watches that could be used for navigation during sea crossings were developed. After electricity was discovered and developed, watches that worked under the power of electric current were built and used extensively. Gears replaced weights inside the watch and were controlled by the alternating current of electric power.

The most accurate timepiece yet devised is the Atomic Clock, which measures time in terms of the oscillations of cesium, rubidium, hydrogen, and other elements. These clocks are accurate to within 1 second in millions of years.

The ability to quantify and understand the passage of time has been one of the greatest concerns of the human race. We will continue to develop machines that can accurately measure time to within the smallest constraints known. These machines will continue to be designed to withstand immense pressures found in diving environments to the lack of atmosphere in the vastness of space. Not only will they operate well, but they will continue to make an important impression for the people who wear them.