Just wander a bit on blogs watchmakers to understand the passion for watches is not limited to a few technical features or even a logo. So in this case of neglecting something as important as her bracelet could we, Following are the numerous requests, we have added in the category of “Jewellery”. To give us a perfect opportunity of revising the history of this small strip of leather, metal or rubber, we also talk about the commitment that just love to wear this watch accessory that attaches us literally as figuratively to our dear tocantes.
A history of wrist watches in ancient and recent time
The grip may seem contradictory, but in the field of watchmaking as in the technological progress are identified in the course of history several point attempts before seeing the widespread use of an invention. The idea of attaching a tool to read the time on his wrist and its history are relatively old and ornate anecdotes. Among these anecdotes which limit the success of the wristwatch found a personality choice, Queen Elizabeth I of England. The Earl of Leicester offered in effect to this all-powerful queen during the age of British gold, suspended from a shows a “armlet” understand a bracelet in 1571. This original romantic gesture made famous by these protagonists blue blood paves the way for a new type of jewelry. Certainly it was not the gun that transformed forever the way we read and carries the hour, but this is a first step of importance.
But it is in the nineteenth century, under the leadership of fashion that things are accelerating a bit. Indeed, it is the sleeve length female clothes shortening that were the real catalyst for the development of the wristwatch.
Moreover, we have two prestigious evidences that reflect this trend in watchmaking and these are as follows:
– In 1810 Abraham Louis designs shows an extremely refined and technologically led to the Queen of Naples. It has an eccentric time indicates the temperature and has a bracelet of the most original since it is made of hair and golden son.
In 1811, the jeweler Napoleon manufactures two wristwatches for Princess Augusta of Bavaria.
As you probably already understand the watch is still at this stage a jewel reserved primarily for the fairer sex. Men still prefer the nineteenth pocket watch, that is to say, the pocket watch. This is also in 1867 that Lip began his great adventure with just pocket watches which quickly met a great success.
Aviation before the advent of wristwatch
This is not women’s fashion but aviation deeply changed our conception of timepieces far closer to the middle of the jewelry, the expression of a certain social status for men as for women. In 1904, Cartier created a wristwatch for Santos Dumont and his friend aviator who is reading his watch fob difficult when flying his airplane.
This is the beginning of a great love between pilots and shows that at that time was absolutely essential history since it was the only instrument panel to locate them in time and space. We recommend that you also read our article on the epic airmail for more information about it. And during the first part of the twentieth century shows gradually becomes something useful, a tool that must be both accurate and durable, exactly what the military forces of all stripes need.
It is therefore natural that the wristwatch is widely adopted before World War II to be timed and orchestrated military strategies more precise and developed.
One can easily think that they are the bracelets that have influenced the shape of watches and even favorite research areas in the watchmaking world. Indeed, if we must wear the watch on your wrist, it is easy to see the appeal of a box and a lightweight, comfortable to wear movement. The Lip T18 that was found at the time a huge success even at the international level is a perfect illustration.
Wearing watch is a passion
Lovers of watches consider their watches as time capsules, because it is “vintage” look of the timepiece that attracts the authentic wear of steels which have lived, but also the history that fine lines and stripes bracelets can tell by their extension.
A little earlier we talked about the expansion of the wristwatch through the civil and military aviation. Without returning to the subject so we know that most pre twentieth century bracelets were made significantly more fragile than leather materials because the strength was not an absolute requirement for a jewel ceremonial.
This is the leather that we must pay tribute in the first place, because that is its strength, the multiple possibilities of colors it offers and its costs more reasonable that made quite naturally the first choice of Watchmaker.
It is thus not surprising to see so many types of bracelets, but also to see the watch enthusiasts make their own changes. It may be that there is in the strap of a watch a bit of his soul. For example, a watch strap Aviator will not fit in a jewel which shows a more urban and of course vice versa shows. The bracelet gives meaning to watch a creation by giving the owner the opportunity to enjoy his timepiece in the context of his profession or lifestyle.
Everything is a matter of taste but it is an understatement to say that the band accounts for a significant share in the overall aesthetics of a watch and proven success. He is the witness of a style, the representative of an era, but also a piece of our history. The story of a bracelet is sometimes as important as the watch to which it relates.
To illustrate this idea, we can for example speak of the birth of the bracelet “Nato” is not just leather.
Tanners
Finally we had to talk about French tanners still perpetuate the art of watch bracelets handmade from the skin. The quality of their work is breathtaking and amateur clientele re-focusing more and more on their expertise. Among the largest in the world of leather, it is important to mention historical names such as Camille who brought in the world of French watchmaking tanning exotic skins like alligator, ostrich, python or lizard which he gave new colors and finishes which he applied extremely refined.
