Unique aspect being that all are palm sized made in gold metal
The invention of the watch has been among the many useful and powerful inventions of mankind. The first, man-made clocks can be dated back to 3500 BCE when the Egyptians erected obelisks. From estimating the time locking in the movement of the sun and the moon, to holding a device laced with numbers and mechanics that tells the exact time of the day, the invention has come a long way in watches. From pocket watches to wristwatches to wall clocks, there always has been an improved version. Here is a list of few old watches of the world.
Pomander Watch It is believed to be the oldest small portable clock in the world that was crafted by German inventor, locksmith, and watchmaker Peter Henlein from Nuremberg in 1505. It is the oldest watch, shaped like a small fire-gilded copper sphere combining German engineering with Oriental influences, in the world that still works.
Melanchthon’s Watch This watch from 1530 isnamed after its original owner Philip Melanchthon. This watch was commissioned to Peter Henlein to create a personalized watch which was given as a gift by the City of Nuremberg, to the Nuremberg Reformer Philipp Melanchthon. The watch has: ‘PHIL[IP]. MELA[NCHTHON]. GOTT.ALEIN. DIE. EHR[E]. 1530” (Philip Melanchthon, to God alone the glory, 1530)’ engraved on the bottom. The watch has small legs so it could be used as a small table clock. Though there is no signature of the maker, the style of the watch is similar to various 16th century watches
Portable Drum Watch This watch was created by ChristophSchissler around 1550 – 1570. This drum-shaped watch has a sundial on the lid that helped in resetting the mechanical clock making it one of the most accurate early clocks. The engraved animal and foliage signs indicate that it is a luxury watch. It was donated to the Walters Art Museum in 1931 by Henry Walters.
Rock Crystal Case Watch This is another16th century watch and it comes with a rock crystal case, making it an item that can be worn like jewelry. And quite small in size as opposed to the other watches of the same period and comes signed with the initials H.K. along with a date of 1530. It is also believed that the rock crystal case was added to the watch in the early 17th century.
A few other watches are Henlein Pocket Watch, Lesser George Watch, Clock Watch and Johann Possdorfer Watch among others.
