From Clockworks to Computers on Our Wrists
How Apple beat Swiss watchmakers at their own game
W e Swiss take great pride in watchmaking. It’s no secret that some of the most recognizable watch brands in the world are made in Switzerland. While the notion of a product being “Swiss-made” may seem like it’s been around forever, it’s actually a relatively recent phenomenon.
The first watches that most closely resemble today’s wristwatches were conceived by Peter Henlein, a German locksmith who lived in Nuremberg during the 16th century. These so called “Taschenuhren” were early gadgets, status symbols that only the upper class and social elite could afford. For more than a century, the design of pocket watches remained relatively unchanged.
Then, a range of British innovations changed watchmaking as we know it.
The invention of the balance spring, the horizontal escapement, and the chronometer led Britain to become one of the most respected watchmaking countries in the world by the end of the 18th century. They were the most precise, best-crafted watches money could buy. However, they had one critical design flaw: these early watches were too thick to wear comfortably.
The challenges of early watchmaking closely mirror the challenges smartwatch…
