Wristwatch

Breguet, the celebrated Swiss-French watchmaker, made what is largely credited as the first wristwatch as a bracelet-style timekeeper for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, who wanted a practical and elegant way to wear time on the wrist.

The story starts in the world of court luxury, not mass production. In Breguet’s workshop, the wristwatch began as a bespoke commission rather than a standard product, which is why early examples were rare and often treated as jewelry as much as instruments. Other early milestones followed later in the century. Many of the important watchmakers of the time remain today (PDF), producing luxury timepieces using the same tools and craft.

The wristwatch became truly common only much later, especially in the early 20th century when practicality mattered more than pocket-watch etiquette. That long shift explains why one inventor can be named for the origin, while many others helped shape the form people actually recognize today.