Back then, it was much harder to tell the time. We used the phases of the moon and the shadow of the sun. Many generations later, we see time as something absolute and relative. We can now measure every moment down to the last millisecond. It has been part of our history for as long as we can remember.
It is only fitting to think back on the watch pieces that have made their mark across the centuries. These timepieces have made a mark in the history of human progress under the horological department.
Patek Philippe Calatrava
Grand Seiko Watches may not be as expensive as this Patek Philippe Calatrava watch, but they hold up well. It is not a hyperbole to claim that brands owe much of their success to the launch of a watch. In the 1930s, Patek, Philippe & Cie were in hot trouble. Financial troubles plagued them. Two (2) years later, the Stern family acquired the company. There was a need for a simple watch that was also easy to use and market. With such a watch, the business could be stabilized.
The first Calatrava was then introduced, as it was needed to put the business on a stable footing. The design espoused Bauhaus principles, and the details of its origins took a lot of work. It started with the number 96. The Calatrava name originated from the medieval Castilian knights. The origin story details of the Calatrava 96 have spread on the internet that David Penney had designed the acth. In the 1980s, he illustrated an authoritative book about the brand’s history. People had severely misinterpreted it. Penney could not have been the Calatrava proponent because he was born after 1932.
But we are sure that the Calatrava 96 was a hit with people. LeCoultre-caliber had fueled the watch and was the perfect space to model on dial designs and iterations.
Omega Speedster
Omega’s presence is known – and felt widely. We can feel it in the Olympics. Omega is also the event’s official timekeeper, so what better move than for Omega to produce a timepiece known for great accuracy – especially for sporting match usage? It was introduced in 1957 as a piece that could be used as a racing chronograph. The timepiece possesses a tachymeter scale bezel, giving its namesake justice.
Rolex Submariner
In 1926, the Oyster was introduced. The timepiece became the first watch to have a sealed case hermetically. By 1931, the world’s first self-winding movement watch was patented. This product was the Rolex Oyster Perpetual.
The timepieces of Rolex continued to improve. Some advancements included rotating bezels for divers and a depth rating that could go up to one hundred (100) meters. The timepiece, however, continued to experience continuous research and development, going to two hundred meters (200) by 1959.
Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical
Another contemporary classic is the Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical. It reflects Hamilton’s history of producing military and field watches. It is a modern classic, too.
Wrapping Up
There are plenty of celebration-worthy timepieces around. These timepieces reflect a tradition of horological excellence. Moreover, they testify to the mechanical prowess of these brands.
