Wrist Strap
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The First Wrist Watches (Part 4 of 5)
As with many fashion trends in times gone by, the wrist watch was first made fashionable by royalty -- specifically Queen Elizabeth I who was given one in the late 1500s. It was an adaptation of the pocket watch made more feminine and worn as an adornment accessory.
The very first widely worn wristwatches were designed exclusively for women and called wristlets. Men of the late 19th century and early 20th century still kept track of time using a pocket watch. They considered the wristlet a fashion trend that would, like all others, come and go; and the wristwatch would at that time never be considered by men as anything but a feminine bobble for women.
The wristwatch as a useful way to conveniently keep time for men actually started out as a wartime necessity. The British army in their fight against South Africa in the Boar War in the early 1900s strapped pocket watches to their wrist so that they could hold their weapons and still synchronize maneuvers with other troops. The first wristwatches for men were promoted to the military for men going into active service. Many of these influential men found the convenience of not fishing in a pocket for their watch indispensable even after returning from the field.
Changes in watchbands also added to the popularity of the wristwatch for both men and women. The flexible band pieces that attached to the open-faced watch made it easy to fasten a leather strap, which kept the watch securely, attached to the wrist. Now wristwatches were standard military issue for the allied troops of World War I.
In 1915, The Rolex Watch Company, formerly known as Wilsdorf & Davis, was founded. Hans Wilsdorf liked the idea of a wristwatch for both men and women and worked to improve the accuracy. Rolex was recognized as a leader in this research and received the first wristwatch Chronometer award given out by the School of Horology in Bienne.
In the mid-1920s, following the war, men started to associate wristwatches with the brave heroes who fought and no longer viewed them as only for women. Rolex seized upon this new image and continued through the 1950s to market watches specifically to men. Professional, masculine-style watches were developed to be worn by men in various fields of work.
The development of new technology capable of tracking time and performing the other functions of a cell phone or planner may lead to a time when the watch will be less of an important way to keep time and more of fashion accessory or status symbol. But, let's face it, if anyone ever asks you if you know the time, your first instinct is to raise your wrist, whether or not you remembered to put on your watch!
About the Author
Thomas Young is a watch collector. Visit http://www.internationalwatchclub.com for information on over 200 different brands of watches, including popular brands like Citizen Watch and Rolex Watch. It is purely an informational site.
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Wrist strap $4.99 Symbol - Wrist strap |
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Casio Accessory Camera Wrist Strap $19 Wrist Strap with Carabiner |
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Garmin 010-10713-00 Wrist Strap $15.99 010-10713-00 010-10713-00 Wrist Strap with Expander Garmin GPS Receivers: Forerunner 305 Forerunner 205 Garmin Garmin, Ltd Wrist Strap www.garmin.com |
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Ultra Anti-Static Wrist Strap $9.99 1 72" Length Anti-Static Wrist Strap ULT31418 Ultra Ultra Products Wrist Strap www.ultraproducts.com |
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Static-Release Wrist Strap $2.34 - Current-limiting resistance: 1 Megohm¡À5%- Safe and reliable- Adjustable wrist strap- Quite washable |
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Novelty Bracelet Style Wrist Watch with Leather Wrist Strap-Golden $4.12 - Bracelet style wrist watch- Leather wrist strap- Full length: 40cm |
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Novelty Bracelet Style Wrist Watch with Leather Wrist Strap-Blue $4.12 - Bracelet style wrist watch- Leather wrist strap- Full length: 40cm |
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Novelty Bracelet Style Wrist Watch with Leather Wrist Strap-Pink $4.12 - Bracelet style wrist watch- Leather wrist strap- Full length: 40cm |
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Novelty Bracelet Style Wrist Watch with Leather Wrist Strap-White $4.12 - Bracelet style wrist watch- Leather wrist strap- Full length: 40cm |
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Novelty Bracelet Style Wrist Watch with Leather Wrist Strap-Red $4.12 - Bracelet style wrist watch- Leather wrist strap- Full length: 40cm |
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Novelty Bracelet Style Wrist Watch with Leather Wrist Strap-White&Black $4.12 - Bracelet style wrist watch- Leather wrist strap- Full length: 40cm |
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Novelty Bracelet Style Wrist Watch with Leather Wrist Strap-Black $4.12 - Bracelet style wrist watch- Leather wrist strap- Full length: 40cm |
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wrist strap for cable tensiometer $26.18 wrist strap for cable tensiometer Straps are gel-like and cushioned for added comfort and durability. Product photo may not exactly match the product offered for sale. Please refer to the product description. |
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Gaming Nintendo Wii Black Wrist Strap $1.99 Gaming Nintendo Wii Black Wrist Strap |
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Gaming Nintendo DS Black Wrist Strap $1.99 Gaming Nintendo DS Black Wrist Strap |
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Gaming Sony PSP Black Wrist Strap $1.99 Gaming Sony PSP Black Wrist Strap |
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Gaming Nintendo 3DS Black Wrist Strap $1.99 Gaming Nintendo 3DS Black Wrist Strap |
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Olympus / PREMIUM WRIST STRAP BLACK / 202263 $16.67 Olympus - PREMIUM WRIST STRAP BLACK - 202263 |
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Intermec Wrist Strap for Cordless Scanner 825184001 $17.38 Intermec Wrist Strap for Cordless Scanner 825184001 |
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GARMIN WRIST STRAP KIT FOR FORERUNNER 405 0101125102 $25.1 GARMIN WRIST STRAP KIT FOR FORERUNNER 405 0101125102 |
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Garmin Accessory Wrist Strap Kit 0101125104 $21.56 Garmin Accessory Wrist Strap Kit 0101125104 |
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Kingwin ATSW24 AntiStatic Wrist Strap $25.55 AntiStatic Wrist Strap w/ Grounding Wire. Model: ATSW24. AntiStatic wrist strap w/ grounding wire. Protect your PC from static electricity. ExtraLong coiled cord for wide range of movement. Adjustable strap fits your wrist comfortably |
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Mens Strap Wrist Watch(NBW0FA6133-BL1) $6.35 Mens Strap Wrist Watch (NBW0FA6133-BL1) 1.Excellent Quality 2.Free Shipping 3.Ladies Watch |
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Hatfield Quilted Wrist Strap Wallet $45 Hatfield Quilted Wrist Strap Wallet is available from bedbathstore.com for only $29.99. Shop bedbathstore for the best price and quality with Free Shipping. |
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Kingwin ATS-W28 Cordless Wrist Strap $4.99 Specifications: Material: PU Plastic Application: Class 100 - 1000 (Clean Room) Molding: Snap and Plug-PVC Molding Resistance: 1K - 100K Ohm (Wrist Strap); 1 +/-10% M Ohm (Cord) Features: Cordless Anti-Static wrist strap Protect your PC from static electricity Adjustable strap fits your wrist comfortably |
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OH2 Speed Wrist Brace Strap Kit $19.95 All Sport Dynamics OH2 Speed Wrist Brace Strap Kit |
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IMC Lacer Wrist Brace Strap Kit $39.95 All Sport Dynamics IMC Lacer Wrist Brace Strap Kit |
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Socket Hand/Wrist Strap - Hand Strap. Each $20.43 Manufacturer: Socket Communications. Each. Allows hand strap to be attached to SoMo. Reduces accidental drops. Makes using the SoMo much easier and secure Product Type: Hand strap Customers also search for: Discount Socket Hand/Wrist Strap - Hand Strap, |
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Garmin Hook-and-Loop Wrist & Expander Strap $15.99 010-10557-00 6.40 oz Garmin Foretrex 101 Wrist-mounted GPS Navigator Garmin Garmin, Ltd Hook-and-Loop Wrist & Expander Strap Wrist Strap www.garmin.com |
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Nexxtech Floating Camera Wrist Strap $14.99 Keep your camera from quickly sinking to the bottom of the lake, ocean, or pool with Nexxtech floating camera wrist strap. Featuring a bright orange colour it's easy to spot when in the water. The adjustable wrist strap lets you custom fit it to your wrist to make sure it won't fall off while you're swimming, snorkeling or scuba diving. |
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Garmin Hookandloop fastener wrist and expander strap $26.96 Garmin Velcro Strap and Expander for Forerunner 205 305. Hookandloop fastener wrist and expander strap. Our replacement wrist strap with expander offers a hookandloop fastener for a secure fit. Includes springs and tool. |
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Professional's Choice Wrist Compression Strap $23.95 The Professional's Choice Wrist Compression Strap is a low-profile neoprene support that increases blood circulation and offers relief from the pain of tendonitis muscle strains sprains and the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. |
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Professionals Choice Wrist Compression Strap $23.95 The Professionals Choice Wrist Compression Strap is a low-profile neoprene support that increases blood circulation and offers relief from the pain of tendonitis, muscle strains, sprains and the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. |
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Morovision RCASTRAPCPHSH Wrist Strap ThermalEye X50X100xpX150xpX200xp $26.78 ThermalEye X100xp and X200xp Wrist Strap. Allows user to hang the X200xp or X100xp around the Wrist and prevent unit from falling when in use. |
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KODAK Floating Wrist Strap / Yellow $8.99 The KODAK Floating Wrist Strap easily attaches to your waterproof camera and prevents it from being lost forever underwater. This comfortable and innovative floating wrist strap is made of a buoyant, lightweight nylon. Attach it to your waterproof camera, and it will keep it afloat should you drop it in a pool, lake or in the ocean. Its bright color will also make it easier to spot if it floats away. |
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KODAK Floating Wrist Strap / Orange $8.99 The KODAK Floating Wrist Strap easily attaches to your waterproof camera and prevents it from being lost forever underwater. This comfortable and innovative floating wrist strap is made of a buoyant, lightweight nylon. Attach it to your waterproof camera, and it will keep it afloat should you drop it in a pool, lake or in the ocean. Its bright color will also make it easier to spot if it floats away. |


US $.49


























































































