Wristwatches have been around since the 1700s, when nurses wore watches on bracelets or armbands to keep them out of the reach of babies and children. But even before that, people were affixing timepieces to their wrists. In 1571, Queen Elizabeth received a watch attached to a bracelet from her friend Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester. In 1623, mathematician and philosopher Blaise Pascal wore his pocket watch on his wrist. Wristwatches remain a popular statement today. There are so many watch collectors that special watch clubs are common in many neighborhoods. Vintage watches also are selling for record prices.

Fine timepieces are made up of several components, expertly designed and assembled by highly skilled watchmakers. These components, listed below, work together to create the form and function of your unique watch.

The case holds the movement, protecting it from the elements and wear and tear. The case is available in many shapes, including round, square, oval, rectangular, tank, carre, carage, tonneau and asymmetrical. It can be made from different metals, including platinum, 18K gold, 14K gold, gold plate, stainless steel, titanium, ceramic, tantalum, tungsten carbide, PVD or diamond-like carbon.