The art of “keeping” time has been a goal of the human race for centuries. From sundials to grandfather clocks, many gadgets have been developed in an attempt to maintain time in a practical and stylish way.
It was not until the 18th century that the perfect combination of practicality and style emerged. This creation came in the form of a small, oscillation-maintained watch.
The first variation of the watch, the pocket watch, was often sculpted from valuable materials such as gold or platinum, and exclusively available to the wealthy. Although unique, the first pocket watches ultimately acted as a style piece and were not very effective, often deviating from real-time.
The first wrist watches were initially considered a fad for ultra wealthy women and bold athletes. Despite the wristwatch originally being considered feminine, many aviators, soldiers and drivers adopted the wrist watch as a method of checking the time without using their hands.
The wrist watch did not gain significant momentum until World War I revealed the practicality of the wrist watch. Soldiers used watches to coordinate attacks and keep on schedule.
After the war, wrist watches became a staple in the lives of men and women alike. The technology and durability of the watch rapidly developed as many watch companies worked to compete to please the growing consumer base in America.
For decades, the watch was an essential object in everyday life. As society and businesses developed, knowing the time and keeping on schedule became paramount.
Watches also developed into fashion pieces and status symbols, some featuring unique colors and shapes while others featured obscene price tags.
Eventually, the simplicity and practicality of the oscillating wrist watch that had made it such a popular item caused its demise.
The digital revolution introduced many items that quickly revolutionized the manner in which people live, plan and work. In all of this new technology, time-keeping became an afterthought, an expectation. Wrist watches and their simple displays no longer were needed as the electronic displays on phones and computers present in peoples’ lives were able to conveniently show the time.
The traditional oscillation-driven wrist watches were quickly replaced by smart watches featuring GPS capabilities, health monitoring and even texting and calling capabilities. Companies manufactured many different smart-watches in an attempt to adhere to society’s increasing desire for electronic connectivity in everyday life. Watches became just another means of connection to the online world, abandoning their initial purpose of time-keeping.
Senior Drake Hanson owns an Apple watch, the most popular smart watch, and shares how he uses his watch. “I do not use my Apple Watch mainly for time. I utilize my Apple Watch because I can read text messages, check notifications, track physical activity and check the weather,” he said.
Although the new wave of smartwatches have introduced many innovative and practical functions, the constant connectivity has proven problematic for some. “The watch also causes a distraction for me when I am trying to focus on something important. So when I do homework or study, I always take off my Apple Watch,” he shared.
Owning a watch with a traditional interface seemingly provides no practicality with all the options available with smartwatches. Despite this, traditional watches are still being sold in large quantities and at considerable prices.
Now, traditional watches provide much more than the simple practicality. Traditional watches are still used as pieces of personal statement. A complement to one’s style. Senior Tanish Chauhan owns a traditional oscillating-watch and shares the incentives that lead him to purchase it. “I bought the watch because of its simplicity and design. The intricate design and color appealed to my eyes and taste. I also admired the authenticity that the watch had as it ran on a harmonic oscillator and lacked any modern technology,” he said.
The new wave of smart watches may be innovative and practical, but one thing is for sure: the traditional watch and its simplicity will continue to appeal to the population desiring simplicity and a lack of connectivity.
