The first watches appear to have been made during the early 1500's, but were not reliable at keeping time. They were more of a status symbol worn by the wealthy. Queen Elizabeth I and members of her court wore watches on chains or ribbons around their necks as fashion accessories. They were usually elaborately decorated or often enclosed in elaborate cases. Some early watch cases were in the form of animals or other objects with the watch hidden inside.
In 1785 George Washington had a watch and chain made for his wife Martha. Also, late in the 1700's watches were often worn suspended from chatelaine pins. Ladies' "pocket" style watches continued to be worn on chains or suspended from "watch pins" through the early 1900's. A 1902 catalog shows ladies' enameled lapel "pocket" style watches on matching enameled fleur-de-lis pins. Enamel ball watches appeared as early as 1915, as did ring watches. The first true lapel watch, meant to be worn upside down, that I found was in a 1915 catalog.
From Carolyn Sunday: All antique watch cases marked "14K" are not necessarily solid gold. Many marked 14K are gold filled and were marked so before regulations were in place about karat marking. The Complete Price Guide To Watches has guides to hallmarks that tell which companies used these hallmarks. Another very good resource is the website of NAWCC - The Association of Watch And Clock Collectors.
In 1785 George Washington had a watch and chain made for his wife Martha. Also, late in the 1700's watches were often worn suspended from chatelaine pins. Ladies' "pocket" style watches continued to be worn on chains or suspended from "watch pins" through the early 1900's. A 1902 catalog shows ladies' enameled lapel "pocket" style watches on matching enameled fleur-de-lis pins. Enamel ball watches appeared as early as 1915, as did ring watches. The first true lapel watch, meant to be worn upside down, that I found was in a 1915 catalog.
From Carolyn Sunday: All antique watch cases marked "14K" are not necessarily solid gold. Many marked 14K are gold filled and were marked so before regulations were in place about karat marking. The Complete Price Guide To Watches has guides to hallmarks that tell which companies used these hallmarks. Another very good resource is the website of NAWCC - The Association of Watch And Clock Collectors.
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