The Birth of the Watch: A Brief History of Timekeeping 1-1-1 （WATCH MARKETING AND MAINTENANCE 1）
Chapter 1: Introduction to Timekeeping
Time is one of the objective forms of material existence. Every change, movement, or development of any substance occurs within time and space.
The defining characteristic of time is its irreversibility. As the Chinese proverb says, "An inch of time is worth an inch of gold, yet gold cannot buy that inch of time." Time is fair to every person — and in today's rapidly advancing world, it has become more precious than ever.
Clocks and watches are precision timekeeping instruments with a history spanning several centuries. Most of us have worn a watch and have some general understanding of timepieces, yet the specialized knowledge behind horology requires continuous learning and accumulation.
1. The Concept of Time
Time carries two meanings: "moment" — referring to what time it is at a specific instant; and "duration" — referring to the interval between two moments.
2. The Standard of Time
The international standard unit of time is the second. The International Committee for Weights and Measures resolved in 1962 that, effective January 1, 1972, the atomic second would become the official standard.
One second is defined as the duration of 9,192,631,770 oscillations of the cesium-133 (Cs133) atom — with a precision of 1 second per 3 million years, or one thirty-billionth of a second per day.
3. The World's First Watch: The Nuremberg Egg (1564)
In 1564, in Nuremberg, Germany, a locksmith named Peter Henlein crafted the world's first portable watch. Due to its oval shape, it became known as the "Nuremberg Egg".
This watch had only an hour hand — no minute hand — and its accuracy was quite limited. The antique is said to be preserved today in a museum in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who made the first watch in history?
The first portable watch is widely attributed to Peter Henlein, a German locksmith from Nuremberg, who created it around 1564.
Why is it called the Nuremberg Egg?
The watch earned the nickname "Nuremberg Egg" because of its distinctive oval, egg-like shape — unusual for timepieces of the era.
What is the international standard unit of time?
The international standard unit of time is the second, defined since 1972 as exactly 9,192,631,770 oscillations of the cesium-133 atom.
Did the first watch have a minute hand?
No. The Nuremberg Egg had only a single hour hand. Minute hands were not introduced until later in watchmaking history.