When you talk about some of the greatest watchmakers in the world, you always think of certain milestone achievements that they made in their lifetime. That’s how we remember them. Audemars Piguet created the genre of steel sports watches, Breitling introduced the slide rule in watches, and Roger Dubuis was the one to use two tourbillons in one watch. Well, in this blog we will indulge in a discussion of firsts. Every feature you see in luxury watches was once a first from some watchmaker. The brands in the spotlight would be Rolex, Cartier, and Omega. These horologists are the cre de la crème of the haute horlogerie industry and rightfully so they have earned their titles.
Rolex Watches
First Waterproof Watch in the World
Rolex was the first to introduce the world to the concept of waterproof watches. It was Rolex that gave us the gift of a fully functioning waterproof watch. Well, it did not create it. It simply acquired it from an already existing patent and put it to better use. Anyhow, it is Role that first manufactured and marketed the world’s first water proof timepiece, the Oyster. It kind of has a ring to it.
First Automatic Movement
Have you ever thought of how automatic watches came into existence? Well, the detailed history might take some time to be explained and it can be a bit boring too. To keep things simple and straight forward, let’s just say that Rolex played a major role by introducing the world to the marvel we today know as Oyster Perpetual, a self-winding movement that winds with the movement of the wrist with the help of a rotor. Bvlgari serpenti and lvcea are also very famous collection in women’s.
Cartier Watches
First Men’s Wristwatch
Cartier is credited with many things but it is rarely given the credit for making the first men’s wristwatch. Cartier, in fact, made it for one of the most popular men in Europe, Alberto Santos Dumont. This is why the timepiece was named after him as well, the Santos de Cartier. The watch was meant to assist the famous inventor/aviator while he was trying to become the first man to ever fly. Hublot classic fusion and big bang are also famous collection in men’s.
First Pilot’s Watch
The Santos’s legacy does not end here. It continues as it is also the first pilot’s watch to be ever made. Along with being the first men’s wristwatch, it is also the first ever pilot’s watch ever seen in action. Well, it was a device built out of a necessity for pilots to be able to check the time whenever they needed to. And that is where Louis Cartier came into the picture. He built the watch so that Alberto Dumont did not have to take out his pocket watch every time he needed to keep a tab on time.
Omega Watches
First Watch to Go to the Moon
Have you ever wondered how exhilarating it might have been for Omega when it officially became the first watchmaker to send a watch to the moon? It is indeed a very fascinating thought. It would have been almost outrageous if someone even thought of this thing a few decades ago. The thing is that watchmaking has always been a major part of the milestones of humankind. So when NASA began its hunt for the perfect timepiece for its manned space missions, the Omega Speedmaster was the one that was selected. And in July 1969, it finally happened.
First Brand to Time All Competitions at the Olympic Games
The Olympic Games have always been a massive part of human history. They represent a collective effort of inclusiveness and at the same time they also display the best of the best in various sports. Well, Omega became the first brand to time all competitions in the prestigious event. In the Olympic Games of 1932, Omega was asked to time all the sporting events which was a first. This was an honor as it directly pointed out to the impeccable precision of Omega watches. Breitling Navitimer watches are famous in men’s and IWC Da vinci watches are demand in women’s now these days.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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