There is some dispute as to who produced the first wristwatch. Some historians believe the first may have been a diamond and pearl encrusted “arm clock” given to Queen Elizabeth I by Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester, in 1571. Others point to Abraham-Louis Breguet who designed a watch in 1812 to be worn on the wrist of the Queen of Naples, Caroline Murat, who happened to be Napoleon's sister. Unfortunately, both timepieces have been lost to the mists of time.
The Musee d’Horlogerie du Locle in Switzerland has its candidate for the world’s first wristwatch on display, a small jeweled pocket watch on a bracelet made in 1813 by Capt & Freundler of Geneve. However, the Guinness Book of World Records has decided the distinction belongs to Patek Philippe with a watch the firm designed for the wrist of Countess Koscowicz of Hungary in 1868. That wristwatch is housed in the Patek Philippe museum in Geneve, Switzerland.
Whichever watchmaker was first, there is no dispute that the first wristwatch was indeed designed for and worn by a woman. So welcome to the ladies section of the Horology Board, begun with the purpose of sharing information and experiences about watches worn by women – genuine or replica.
The Musee d’Horlogerie du Locle in Switzerland has its candidate for the world’s first wristwatch on display, a small jeweled pocket watch on a bracelet made in 1813 by Capt & Freundler of Geneve. However, the Guinness Book of World Records has decided the distinction belongs to Patek Philippe with a watch the firm designed for the wrist of Countess Koscowicz of Hungary in 1868. That wristwatch is housed in the Patek Philippe museum in Geneve, Switzerland.
Whichever watchmaker was first, there is no dispute that the first wristwatch was indeed designed for and worn by a woman. So welcome to the ladies section of the Horology Board, begun with the purpose of sharing information and experiences about watches worn by women – genuine or replica.
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