Since first appearance of man on earth an effort has been made to measure time. The tracking of sun's movement across sky, candles that were marked at intervals, oil lamps with a marked reservoir, sandglasses (hourglasses) are some of ways in which time was measured. In Orient knotted cords and small stone or metal mazes filled with incense that would be burned at a specific rate.

Water clocks did not depend on observation of sky or sun. The earliest water clock was found in tomb of Amenhotep I who was buried around 1500 B.C. Greeks called them clepsydras; they were stone containers with sloped sides that allowed water to drip at an almost constant rate from a small hole in bottom. Other clepsydras were cylinders or bowl shaped designed to slowly fill up with water coming in at a near constant pace. Markings on inside of bowl marked passage of hours. Though this was used primarily at night, it is thought they were used in day hours as well. A metal bowl with a hole bottom was placed in a larger bowl filled with water. It would fill and then sink in a certain amount of time.

Since water flow was not exactly predictable and difficult to control flow accurately, timepieces that depended on water were very inadequate. People were drawn to develop more accurate ways of measuring and telling time.

The development of quartz crystal clocks and timepieces depended on crystal size, shape, and temperature to create a frequency. Quartz clocks and watches continue to be popular. They work well enough for price and although they tend to be slightly 'off' correct time most people can afford them.

The first watches had a natural movement but no minute hand. They had to be wound every twelve hours. Watches were originally worn more for adornment than functionality. Timepieces worked with weights but these were not practical in portable timepieces.

Time measurement has been a goal of man from beginning and a time line will help you understand how we got to where we are with watches. Watches have so many new functions. They have date, time, times across time zones and some have stop watches. Most watches have some kind of an alarm in them. The possibilities are endless and I can really see a Dick Tracy type of watch being real.

Here is a timeline of watch history. Some of years might not be listed in chronological order but I got them as close to it as possible. It is very interesting to learn how watches have developed. It's amazing when I think of minds of people who had their hand in creating watches, how smart and technical they must have been!

Prior to 1600 - The main problem was driving power timepieces ran were balanced weights. This made it difficult to carry them around.

Some cultures have rings typically associated with them. Cultures such as Native Americans use silver and turquoise in their jewelry. Early Christians used Greek symbol, Icthus, which resembles a fish. One of best known is Irish Claddagh that also has an intriguing story attached to it. Richard Joyce was among crew of a fishing boat from village of Claddagh, Ireland that was captured, he was to have been married that very same week. During slavery Richard Joyce was put to trade of Goldsmith-ing. Through years of capture neither married. Richard Joyce created a ring for his love with a heart for love, a crown for loyalty, and two hands.

After Joyce escaped capture, he returned to village of Claddagh and was overjoyed to see his love again and to know she had never married. She always knew he would return to her. He gave her ring that has become known as Claddagh ring. If Claddagh is worn on right hand with crown inward (toward wrist) heart is not yet committed. If it is worn on right hand with crown turned outward wearer is committed to someone. Finally if it is worn on left hand with crown outward it means “Let our love and friendship reign forever, never to be separated.”

Rings are worn for a variety of reasons including adornment. There are rings given as a reward for a job well done such as Super Bowl victory. They are given to represent commitment as in engagements and marriages. Women religious to signify their commitment to God also wear rings.

Rings can be made of almost any material now. They can be made from plastic, silver, gold, or copper, even wood. They can be made of ceramic materials as well. They can be of simple design or something as intricate as filigree.