A certain vintage charm for Nurses with Fob Watches
Within the huge range of watches, the Fob Watch has always been thought of wistfully and with some nostalgia. These fob watches exude an attraction that takes you back in time and their utility links them not only to a more genteel age but also is the icon of the nursing profession. However, they are now re-emerging in the fashion world not only as fashion art but also a useful timepiece. Fob watches it would seem are even today preferred to wrist watches by nurses due to the hygiene factor.
Traditionally, nurses Fob Watches are to be seen predominantly attached to a coat or uniform lapel of the nurse. It’s historic capacity of accurate time measurement dates from the mid 19th century Crimea nurses of Florence Nightingale through to present times. The fact that these nurses Fob Watches are once again riding the crest of popularity shows that fashions and trends go through their own cycles.
Nurses Fob Watches are in fact an offshoot in the long history of the “pocket” watch which were first referred to in correspondence between craftsmen and members of the upper class in the fifteenth century, and it is believed that an early prototype of the pocket watch was worn in this era around the neck. Historical figures such as the Duke of Modena were offered a “pocket clock” which was superior to that owned by the Marchese di Manta by the Italian clockmaker Bartholomew Manfredi in 1462. These early pocket clocks were likely very heavy and rather inaccurate and certainly would only have included an hour-hand. In the years that followed many craftspeople, particularly blacksmiths, began to develop pocket-watch designs. 16th century watches were incredibly big inaccurate and were generally worn around the neck because of their girth. It is rumored that the medallion in the famous painting of Henry VIII was in fact a pocket watch around his neck. The watch was far from accurate but it was pretty, so it was worn more as jewelry than for timekeeping.
In 1675 Charles II of England introduced waistcoats and pockets were specifically introduced to house the “pocket watch” which led to the now common typical pocket watch shape, rounded and flattened with no sharp edges. Watch fobs began to be used to assist in locating and removing the watch from the waistcoat pocket, the name originating from the German word fuppe, a small pocket.
A variety of craftsmen, such as watchmakers, casemakers, enamelers, jewelers, and engravers, came up with elaborate cases and dials. French watches, in particular, were quite decorative and expensive. It became the fashion among the aristocracy to wear and show off their pocket watches, their accuracy being of secondary importance.
In 1868, Patek Philippe produced the first wristwatch which was originally marketed as a “lady’s bracelet watch”, intended as jewelry. Then in 1904, Alberto Santos-Dumont, an early aviator, asked his friend, a French watchmaker called Louis Cartier, to design a watch that could be useful during his flights. The first man’s wristwatch was born. The greater flexibility and utilitarian uses afforded to the new wristwatch in the First World War saw it overtaking the pocket watch in daily fashion. Over the next 50 years the wristwatch, initially created as woman’s jewelry, became the universal timepiece for all. However, the sheer historical artistry and magic of the “Fob Watch” still continues to keep them high in the wish-lists of most fashion conscious people.
