A vintage rolled gold Lanco Swiss made 17 jewel lapel watch

The first watches appear to have been made during the early 1500s, but were not reliable at keeping time. They were more of a status symbol worn by the wealthy. Queen Elizabeth I and members of her court wore watches on chains or ribbons around their necks as fashion accessories. They were usually elaborately decorated or often enclosed in elaborate cases. Some early watch cases were in the form of animals or other objects with the watch hidden inside.

In 1785 George Washington had a watch and chain made for his wife Martha. Also, late in the 1700s watches were often worn suspended from chatelaine pins. Ladies pocket style watches continued to be worn on chains or suspended from watch pins through the early 1900s. A 1902 catalog shows ladies enameled lapel pocket style watches on matching enameled fleur-de-lis pins. Enamel ball watches appeared as early as 1915, as did ring watches. The first true lapel watch, meant to be worn upside down was around 1915.