WATCH, is also used for a small portable movement, or machine, for the measuring of time; having its motion regulated by a spiral spring.
Watches, strictly taken, are all such movements as show the parts of time; as clocks are such as publish it, by striking on a bell, &c. But commonly the name watch is appropriated to such as are carried in the pocket; and clock to the large movements, whether they strike the hour or not. See CLOCK.
The invention of spring or pocket-watches, belongs to the present age. It is true, we find mention made of a watch presented to Charles V. in the history of that prince: but this, in all probability, was no more than a kind of clock to be set on a table, some resemblance whereof we have still remaining in the ancient pieces made before the year 1670. In effect, it is between Dr. Hooke and M. Huygens that the glory of this excellent invention lies: but to which of them it properly belongs, is greatly disputed; the English ascribing it to the former, and the French, Dutch, &c. to the latter. Mr. Derham, in his Artificial Clockmaker, says roundly, that Dr. Hooke was the inventor; and adds, that he contrived various ways of regulation. One way was with a loadstone. Another with a tender straight spring, one end whereof played backwards and forwards with the balance; so that the balance was to the spring as the bob to a pendulum, and the spring as the rod thereof. A third method was with two balances, of which there were divers sorts; some having a spiral spring to the balance for a regulator, and others without. But the way that prevailed, and which continues in mode, was with one balance, and one spring running round the upper part of the verge thereof: Though this has a disadvantage, which those with two springs, &c. were free from; in that a sudden jerk, or confused shake, will alter its vibrations, and put it in an unusual hurry.
The time of these inventions was about the year 1658; as appears, among other evidences, from an inscription on one of the double balance watches presented to king Charles II. viz. Rob. Hooke Inven. 1658. T. Tompion fecit, 1675. The invention presently got into reputation, both at home and abroad; and two of them were sent for by the dauphin of France. Soon after this, M. Huygens's watch with a spiral spring got abroad, and made a great noise in England, as if the longitude could be found by it. It is certain, however, that his invention was later than the year 1673, when his book de Horol. Oscillat. was published; wherein he has not one word of this, though
he has of several other contrivances in the same way.
Watch. One of these the lord Brouncker sent for out of France, where M. Huygens had got a patent for them. This watch agreed with Dr. Hooke's, in the application of the spring to the balance; only M. Huygens's had a longer spiral spring, and the pulses and beats were much slower. The balance, instead of turning quite round, as Dr. Hooke's, turns several rounds every vibration.
Mr. Derham suggests, that he has reason to doubt M. Huygens's fancy first was set to work by some intelligence he might have of Dr. Hooke's invention from Mr. Oldenburg, or some other of his correspondents in England; though Mr. Oldenburg vindicates himself against that charge, in Philosophical Transactions, No. 118 and 129. Huygens invented divers other kinds of watches, some of them without any string or chain at all; which he called, particularly, pendulum watches.
As it was in England that watches had their first rise; so it is there too they have arrived at their greatest perfection. Witness that exceeding value put on an English watch in all foreign countries, and that vast demand made for them.
M. Savary, in his Diction. de commerce, pretends to match the French watchmakers against the English. He asserts, "That if the English be in any condition to dispute it with them, they owe it entirely to the great number of French workmen who took shelter here upon the revocation of the edict of Nantz." He adds, "That three fourths of the watches made in England are the work of Frenchmen."—From what authorities he says this we know not: but it need not be told Englishmen that it is false; there not being one French name, that we know of, among all our famed watchmakers; nor, in the body of watchmakers, is there one eighth part French.
It is certain the French people prefer our watches vastly to their own; insomuch, that to have them with the more ease, a number of English workmen were invited over in 1719, and established with great countenance at Versailles, under the direction of the famous Mr. Law. But the establishment, though every thing promised well for it, and the French watch and clock makers seemed undone by it, fell to the ground in less than a year's time. M. Savary imputes its fall entirely to that strong prejudice of the French people in behalf of the English workmen, and to the opinion that the watches did not come from England. But the truth is, the workmen sent over being most of them men of loose characters, grew dissolute, quarrelled with the priests, insulted the magistrates, and were dismissed of necessity.
Striking WATCHES are such, as besides the proper watch part for measuring of time, have a clock-part for striking the hours, &c.