Unique Dive Watches

Unique dive watches.

You're familiar with the custom in which a man gives a woman a ring as an engagement gift, but did you know that in some places, women give mens watches for the same reason? It's true - in Spain when couples get engaged and announce wedding plans, women will purchase designer watches for their fiancés. Right now, you're about to learn more about mens watches - and womens as well.

Back in the Day...

Designer watches and luxury watches are fairly new innovations, as well as specialty timepieces such as dive watches. The concept goes back quite a ways in history, however.

The first mechanical clocks came into existence in Europe around 1300, during the time of such luminaries as William ("Braveheart") Wallace, Marco Polo, Jacques DeMolay and Dante Alighieri. (Interestingly, eyeglasses were invented about the same time.) These early clocks were driven by weights; spring-driven clock - from which mens watches were ultimately developed - did not come along until well over one hundred years later.

The first mens watches, invented around the time of King Henry VIII, were miniature versions of wall clocks, carried on a chain around the neck. Early models were still large and none-too-dependable; nonetheless, the pocket watch ultimately became a standard accessory for gentlemen starting in the 1600s and lasting until well into the 20th century (and was a required tool for railroad men).

The first wristwatches were actually made for women; the "bracelet watch" was first made available in 1868. It was the advent of aviation that led to the development of the first mens watches starting with the Santos watch of 1904 (named for the famous French-Brazilian aviator).

Designer Watches Since Then

The manufacturer of that early wristwatch was Louis Cartier - a name that has since been synonymous with luxury watches. However, his is hardly the only one.