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Time Line

This Section presents a history of inventions, acquisitions, patents and world events which had a huge impact in the field of horology. If any interested horologist believes that a significant horological event has been overlooked, please email us the event's name and why you believe it should be included in this time line. Ashland'is intention is to provide an accurate time reference for its clients and guests. We welcome any information which will make this time line more beneficial to all watch and clock enthusiasts.


1430
Mainspring in a barrel with a chain and fusee was developed. Mainspring in a barrel with a chain and fusee was developed.  

1480
The first watches appeared in Italy. The first watches appeared in Italy.  

1485
Leonard da Vinci sketches a fusee design for a clock. Leonard da Vinci sketches a fusee design for a clock.  

1500
First use of spiral spring was first used for the mainspring. First use of spiral spring was first used for the mainspring.  

1510
Peter Henlein of Nuremberg invented the spring powered clocks. Peter Henlein of Nuremberg invented the spring powered clocks.  

1550
Watches started to have more geometric forms. Watches started to have more geometric forms.  

1565
In Germany, the first guild was founded in Nuremberg. In Germany, the first guild was founded in Nuremberg.  

1601
The foundation of the Watchmaker’s Guild in Geneva. The foundation of the Watchmaker’s Guild in Geneva.  

1620
Glass crystal started to be fitted to the watch case. Glass crystal started to be fitted to the watch case.  

1625
In England, unornamented watches became popular. In England, unornamented watches became popular.  

1635
The fusee was adapted to watches. The fusee was adapted to watches.  

1640
Chain-and-fusee design replaces gut cord. Chain-and-fusee design replaces gut cord.  

1650
Christian Huygens discovered the laws of the pendulum. Christian Huygens discovered the laws of the pendulum.  

1656
Christian Huygens builds the first accurate pendulum clock. Christian Huygens builds the first accurate pendulum clock.  

1675
Huygens introduces the balance wheel and spring assembly. Huygens introduces the balance wheel and spring assembly. Spiral balance spring was used. Spiral balance spring was used.

1687
Daniel Quare patents the repeating mechanism. Daniel Quare patents the repeating mechanism.  

1690
English watchmaker Daniel Quare starts to use a minute hand (because accuracy has advanced). English watchmaker Daniel Quare starts to use a minute hand (because accuracy has advanced).  

1700
Horizontal cylinder escapement is invented by Tompion or George Graham. Horizontal cylinder escapement is invented by Tompion or George Graham.  

1704
Watch makers N. F. de Duiller and Peterland Jacob a method of piercing jewels. Debaufre developed. Watch makers N. F. de Duiller and Peterland Jacob a method of piercing jewels. Debaufre developed.  

1710
Development and perfection of cylinder escapement by Graham Development and perfection of cylinder escapement by Graham  

1715
Sully discovered that forming a small sink around each hole would retain the oil, due to its surface tension. Sully discovered that forming a small sink around each hole would retain the oil, due to its surface tension. Repouse and enhancement of outcases was desired. Repouse and enhancement of outcases was desired.

1720
Dutertre invented the duplex escapement. Dutertre invented the duplex escapement. Abbe’de Hautefeuille invented the rack lever. Abbe’de Hautefeuille invented the rack lever.

1725
Introduction of enamel dials that are smooth and polished. Introduction of enamel dials that are smooth and polished.  

1726
George Graham develops the horizontal, or cylinder escapement. George Graham develops the horizontal, or cylinder escapement.  

1730
Baptiste Dutertre developed the duplex escapement. Baptiste Dutertre developed the duplex escapement.  

1740
Frenchman LeRoy introduced a screw adjusted sliding plates, so the escape wheel could be positioned. Frenchman LeRoy introduced a screw adjusted sliding plates, so the escape wheel could be positioned.  

1750
Jean Antoine Lepine invented the virgule escapement. Jean Antoine Lepine invented the virgule escapement. Second hands starting to be used on watches. Second hands starting to be used on watches.
Maker's name appeared on the dials. Maker's name appeared on the dials.  

1755
Jean-Marc Vacheron opened his workshop in Geneva. Jean-Marc Vacheron opened his workshop in Geneva.  

1759
Thomas Mudge invents the detached lever escapement. Thomas Mudge invents the detached lever escapement.  

1761
John Harrison invented the first sea chronometer. John Harrison invented the first sea chronometer.  

1770
Abraham Louis Perrelet invents automatic winding. Abraham Louis Perrelet invents automatic winding.  

1775
Abraham Louis Breguet starts his own watch making shop in Paris France. Abraham Louis Breguet starts his own watch making shop in Paris France.  

1780
Breguet started production in France. Breguet started production in France. Breguet produced the first self-winding watch; it did not work reliably. Breguet produced the first self-winding watch; it did not work reliably.

1783
Abraham Louis Breguet invents the gong spring for repeaters. Abraham Louis Breguet invents the gong spring for repeaters.  

1786
Breguet first to use guilloche on watch dials. Breguet first to use guilloche on watch dials.  

1787
Breguet makes lever watches. Breguet makes lever watches.  

1790
Breguet introduces the "parachute" shock protection syste, the cylinder escapement with a ruby cylinder. Breguet introduces the "parachute" shock protection syste, the cylinder escapement with a ruby cylinder.  

1791
J.F. Bautte founded the watch company that later became Girard-Perregaux. J.F. Bautte founded the watch company that later became Girard-Perregaux.  

1795
Abraham-Louis Breguet invents the tourbillion. Abraham-Louis Breguet invents the tourbillion. Breguet invents the "Breguet" over coil balance spring. Breguet invents the "Breguet" over coil balance spring.

1799
Brequet invents the "Tact" watch that was a watch for the blind. Brequet invents the "Tact" watch that was a watch for the blind.  

1800
The pocket chronometer was an accurate and obtainable watch. The pocket chronometer was an accurate and obtainable watch. Multi color gold dials were the norm. Multi color gold dials were the norm.

1801
Breguet patents the tourbillion. Breguet patents the tourbillion.  

1807
Thomas Young invents a chronograph. Thomas Young invents a chronograph.  

1809
Luther Goddard is the first watch manufacturer in America. Luther Goddard is the first watch manufacturer in America.  

1810
Breguet makes their first wrist watch. Breguet makes their first wrist watch.  

1814
Massey uses push/pump winder in a watch. Massey uses push/pump winder in a watch.  

1821
Nicholas Mathieu Rieussec develops A chronograph and receives a patend for the design. Nicholas Mathieu Rieussec develops A chronograph and receives a patend for the design.  

1823
The table roller lever escapement was being introduced. The table roller lever escapement was being introduced.  

1825
Georges Auguste Leschot's invented the Swiss lever escapement. Georges Auguste Leschot's invented the Swiss lever escapement.  

1830
Cole's elastic lever escapement developed. Cole's elastic lever escapement developed.  

1833
LeCoultre & Cie. founded in Le Sentier. LeCoultre & Cie. founded in Le Sentier.  

1838
Louis Audemars invents stem winding and setting mechanism. Louis Audemars invents stem winding and setting mechanism.  

1839
Patek & Czapek founded in Geneva. Patek & Czapek founded in Geneva.  

1840
All watches were hand-finished to this point and interchangeabillity was nill. All watches were hand-finished to this point and interchangeabillity was nill. Watches starting to be produced with interchangeable parts. Watches starting to be produced with interchangeable parts.

1841
Vacheron Constantin installed machines to produce strictly identical mechanisms. Vacheron Constantin installed machines to produce strictly identical mechanisms.  

1843
Adrien Phillippe designs a watch with winding and setting through the crown. Adrien Phillippe designs a watch with winding and setting through the crown.  

1844
Patek Phillippe produces its first pocket watch. Patek Phillippe produces its first pocket watch. Nicole designs the first true chronograph. Nicole designs the first true chronograph.
Antoine LeCoultre invents the millonometre. Antoine LeCoultre invents the millonometre.  

1845
Adrien Philippe unites with Patek & Cie. Adrien Philippe unites with Patek & Cie.  

1846
Ulysse Nardin founded in LeLocle. Ulysse Nardin founded in LeLocle.  

1847
Charles-Antoine LeCoultre invents his system that would wind/set a watch by the crown. Charles-Antoine LeCoultre invents his system that would wind/set a watch by the crown. Cartier was established. Cartier was established.

1848
Louis Brandt opens his own workshop that later becomes the Omega Watch Company. Louis Brandt opens his own workshop that later becomes the Omega Watch Company.  

1850
Ansonia Clock Co. in Ansonia Conecticut, starts making clocks. Ansonia Clock Co. in Ansonia Conecticut, starts making clocks.  

1851
The "Warren Manufacturing Company" established. The "Warren Manufacturing Company" established.  

1852
Royal observatory in Greenwich began transmitting time telegraphically. Royal observatory in Greenwich began transmitting time telegraphically.  

1853
Tissot develops dual time zone watch. Tissot develops dual time zone watch. Warren Manufacturing markets their first watches. Warren Manufacturing markets their first watches.

1856
Eterna founded in Grenchen. Eterna founded in Grenchen.  

1858
Minerva founded in Villeret. Minerva founded in Villeret. Edward Howard produces his first watch. Edward Howard produces his first watch.

1859
Waltham Improvement Co. and Appleton, Tracy & Co. merge to become American Watch Co. Waltham Improvement Co. and Appleton, Tracy & Co. merge to become American Watch Co.  

1860
Chopard founded in Geneva. Chopard founded in Geneva. Panerai was established. Panerai was established.
Heuer is founded. Heuer is founded.  

1861
Charles Fasoldt sets up a factory to produce clocks and watches in New York. Charles Fasoldt sets up a factory to produce clocks and watches in New York.  

1862
Contemporary three push chronograph system introduced. Contemporary three push chronograph system introduced.  

1864
Heuer founded in Biel. Heuer founded in Biel.  
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