Well, my theory is that the reason why we created watches (or clocks) was for social reasons. I will explain why, because the way we can relate to other people is through time, so we needed to measure it. Do you agree?
Apparently the first clocks recorded in History are from 5000-6000 years ago in the Middle East and North Africa! Yes, confirming my thoughts, with their attendant bureaucracies, formal religions, and other burgeoning societal activities, these cultures apparently found a need to organize their time more efficiently.
Yes, there were the obelisks “sun powered” clocks.. then water clocks (where water dripped repetitively and that was a measure of time).. sand clocks… till they finally invented the mechanical clock! A total revolution, with a pendulum (apparently Da Vinci, amongst all his inventions, had already studied its movement) – a Dutch guy regulated the mechanism with a natural period of oscillation.
Then came the pocket watches and wikipedia claims that the first wrist watch was created by Patek Philippe at the end of the 19th century, which funnily enough, was considered a feminine accessory… then it was finally Cartier, who designed a male version for an airplane pilot with a leather wrist band. Its use got extended through the army during war time, because it was easier to check your wrist that pulling out of your pocket your watch… clearly so!
Much has happened since these first models and we've gone through the digital area, when the coolest thing was having a calculator in your wrist! How many watches did I have to bring from Japan for our friends! That was in the early 80s.. the beginning of the geek tribes-gadget-maniacs. The analogical watches were in decline amongst the youth till Swatch came up with the idea of the 'disposable' concept. In an era of consumerism, when money was flowing, that was just the biggest 'hit'. I did collect them myself, they still lay around in my parents house, with the plastic totally rotten…
Now there isn't a fashion brand that doesn't incorporate a watches range: Diesel, DKNY, Armani, Gucci… even Zara! And we've passed from wow-ing with Hasselhof and the watch he used to talk to his 'friend' Kitt, to being able to call for real with the new Wristomo. That is, after dreaming with 007's mega Omega and pretending to be Inspector Gadget with his super multi-kitted watch.
Beckham, Cindy Crawford, Kournikova or even Tony Hawk can make any brand sell like crazy. Watches have passed from being a functional device to an status indicator, a fashion statement and even one of the most popular gifts for grooms from their brides.
For interesting links: check out the most expensive watch on Earth, or if you need to make a phone call anywhere in the world and you want to know what's the time there.