Watch Day

National Watch Day

Watch Day is June 19th, a day to recognize and appreciate the watch and its history in our society. Watches were designed to be worn by a person and have always been more than just a time telling device. Over the years, a watch has become more of an expression of style and personal preferences. 

National Watch Day was founded by Nordstrom to celebrate the history and design of watchmaking. 

A watch is a timepiece intended to be carried or worn by a person. It is designed to keep working despite the motions caused by the person's activities. A wristwatch is designed to be worn on a wrist, attached by either a strap or a bracelet. A pocket watch is designed for a person to carry in a pocket.

History of the Watch

The earliest watches were strictly mechanical, driven by wind-up springs and held in a pocket. These are called pocket watches or hunter-case watches.

The first watchmakers were master craftsmen who designed and built their own timepieces by hand. By the late 1600s, watchmakers began to specialize in designing and building only the movements, leaving the casing and other parts of the watch to be made by others.

The first recorded use of a wristwatch is from the early 15th century, when a watch was strapped to the wrist of a French duke in order to keep time during battle. This was likely due to the fact that it was more convenient than carrying a pocket watch, which could easily be lost or damaged in battle. It wasn't until the late 19th century that wristwatches became popular among the general public.

The first mass-produced wristwatch was created by Swiss watchmaker Patek Philippe in 1868. It was a gold pocket watch that featured a leather strap. Wristwatches really took off in popularity during World War I, when they were used by soldiers to keep track of time while in the trenches. After the war, wristwatches became a must-have fashion accessory for both men and women.

The modern day wristwatch has come a long way since its humble beginnings as a simple timekeeping device. Today, wristwatches are often fashion accessories and may include features such as alarms, chronographs, and GPS navigation.

Celebrate Watch Day

Celebrate Watch Day by sharing your favorite watch and telling your stories about your first wristwatch or pocket watch. And if you feel like shopping, today is the perfect day to shop for a watch!