Gold Watch

Throughout the 15th and 16th centuries, technology was developed which made the watch possible. The earliest portable timepieces were heavy 'clock-watches' which were attached to clothing or worn as a necklace, only displaying an hour-hand; the earliest known watch - Melanchthon's Watch - was crafted from copper plated with gold. By the 17th century, the pocket watch design was introduced, as well as a glass face to protect the mechanics. The introduction of the pocket watch was accompanied by a trend amongst the wealthy for solid gold timepieces. The most popular style of watch today - the wristwatch - has various rumours surrounding its origins in the 19th century; however, the wristwatch did not find commercial success until after the war. Gold wristwatches soon became a popular choice for smart and formal dress, with cases often being made in 14k or 18k gold. The first 24k solid gold-cased watch was the Bulova Accu-Swiss Percheron, released in 2014 and sold for around $42,000 at the time of release.