Democratic Sentinel, Volume 21, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 April 1897 — The First Watch. [ARTICLE]

The First Watch.

At first the watch was about the size of a desert-plate. It had weights, and was used as a "pocket clock.” The earliest known use of the modern name occurs In the record of 1552, which uieutlous that Edward VI. had “one laruiu or watch of Iron, the case being likewise of Irou gilt, with two plummets of lead." The tinet watches may readily be supposed to have been of rude execution. The first great improvement, the substitution of springs for weights, was !u 1550. The earliest Springs were not coiled, but only straight pieces of steel. Early watches had ouly one hand, and, he lug wound up twice a day, they could not be expected to keep time nearer than fifteen or twenty minutes In the twelve hours. The dials were of silver or brass; the eases had uo crystals, but opened at the back and front, and were four or tive Inches iu diameter. A plain watch coat the equivalent of SI,OOO In our currency, and after one was ordered It took a year to make It.