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History of watches

Watches evolved from portable spring driven clocks, which initial in the 15th century. Portable timepieces were produced possible by the invention of the mainspring. Although some sources erroneously credit Nuremberg clockmaker Peter Henlein (or Henle or Hele) with inventing the mainspring about 1511, many references to 'clocks without weights' and two surviving examples show that spring powered clocks appeared in the 15th century. Henlein is also often credited with constructing the first pocketwatches, mainly because of a passage by Johann Cochlaus in 1511.

   Peter Hele, still a young man, fashions functions which even probably the most learned mathematicians admire. He shapes many-wheeled clocks out of small bits of iron, which run and chime the hours without weights for forty hours, whether carried in the breast or inside a handbag

and simply because he was popularized inside a 19th century novel. However, many German clockmakers were making miniature timepieces throughout this period, and there is no evidence Henlein was the first. Also, watches weren't widely worn in pockets until the 17th century.

The very first timepieces to become worn, made in 16th century Europe, were transitional in size between clocks and watches. These 'clock-watches' had been fastened to clothing or worn on a chain about the neck. They had been heavy drum shaped cylindrical brass boxes several inches in diameter, engraved and ornamented. They had only an hour hand. The face was not covered with glass, but generally had a hinged brass cover, often decoratively pierced with grillwork so the time could be read without opening. The movement was made of iron or steel and held together with tapered pins and wedges, till screws began to become utilized following 1550. Many from the movements included striking or alarm mechanisms. They generally had to be wound twice each day. How psychic!