montres

Montres is the French word for watches, portable timekeeping devices worn on the wrist or carried in a pocket. Modern usage often refers to wristwatches, though historical examples include pocket watches. Watches are categorized by their movements, displays, and functions, with mechanical, quartz, and digital models among the most common.

Historically, portable timekeeping emerged in Europe during the 16th century, when watch movements were first housed in compact cases. The development of the balance spring in the 17th century and the lever escapement in the 18th made watches more accurate. Wristwatches became widespread in the early 20th century, notably after World War I, when military uses popularized the format.

Movements: mechanical watches rely on a mainspring and gears; manual winding requires periodic winding, automatic watches use a rotor to wind itself with wrist motion. Quartz watches, introduced in the 1960s, use electronic oscillators for high accuracy and lower cost. Some watches are digital, displaying time on an electronic screen. Complications such as date, chronograph, moon phase, and tourbillon add specialized functions.

Industry and culture: Switzerland and Japan are prominent centers of watchmaking, though brands and crafts vary worldwide. The term haute horlogerie refers to high-end, artisanal watchmaking with intricate movements and finishes. Markets range from luxury and prestige pieces to mass-market and smartwatches, reflecting diverse consumer needs and technological changes. Maintenance and servicing are essential for longevity, especially for mechanical models.