<P> The history of watches began in 16th century Europe , where watches evolved from portable spring - driven clocks , which first appeared in the 15th century . Portable timepieces were made possible by the invention of the mainspring in the early 15th century . Nuremberg clockmaker Peter Henlein ( or Henle or Hele ) ( 1485 - 1542 ) is often credited as the inventor of the watch . He was one of the first German craftsman who made `` clock - watches '' ( taschenuhr ) , ornamental timepieces worn as pendants , which were the first timepieces to be worn on the body . His fame is based on a passage by Johann Cochläus in 1511 : </P>
<P> The history of watches began in 16th century Europe , where watches evolved from portable spring - driven clocks , which first appeared in the 15th century . Portable timepieces were made possible by the invention of the mainspring in the early 15th century . Nuremberg clockmaker Peter Henlein ( or Henle or Hele ) ( 1485 - 1542 ) is often credited as the inventor of the watch . He was one of the first German craftsman who made `` clock - watches '' ( taschenuhr ) , ornamental timepieces worn as pendants , which were the first timepieces to be worn on the body . His fame is based on a passage by Johann Cochläus in 1511 : </P>
when was the first watch made and by whom
when was the first watch made and by whom
Peter Henlein
Peter Henlein