Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1916-07-30
CHANGED STATUS
OF WRIST WATCH

! Much has been printed in European
papers on the subject of strap watches
as part of military equipment. This
has attracted good deal Of attention,
since modern warfare has demonstrate
ed the necessity for officers and SOL
diers to know the time. The telephone
and signal service, which play impor-
tant parts in modern warfare, have
made the wearing of watches by sol
diers obligatory. The only practical
way in which they can wear them is
on the wrist, where the time can be
ascertained readily, an iEnpossibility
with the old style pocket watch.
European reports show that strap
watches have been adopted for use in
the army and navy, and that civilians
are also wearing them III preference to
| the pocket watch.
| There have been instances during
the progress of the present war where
bad effects have resulted from wear
ing of watches. The chief danger
has been from the breaking Of the
crystal, and, when the watch was
worn on the wrist, the consequences
have been serious, owing to parts Of
the shattered crystal flying into the
eyes, and for time there was talk Of
disseminating the use of wrist watches.
| Realizing the seriousness of the de-
fects in old-fashioned strap watches,
/ European watch makers set about
remedying them. Many devices were
introduced, such as grill, or filigree
work, placed over the dial, leaving only
the figures exposed. This, however,
, made it very difficult to ascertain the
time readily and consequently had to
! be abandoned Then the hunting case
was resorted to, but as it's usefulness
necessitated the pushing of spring to
Topen the case, it also was found to be
impracticable Not only this, but the
damp condition of the trenches soon
rusted the springs and the difficulty,
if not impossible of having them re-
paired confronted the wearer
Celluliod glass was then introduced.
This was during the summer season,
but when cold weather set in the cry
stalls contracted and dropped off, the |
dials became scratched, and the in
flammable nature Of the celluloid and
the danger entailed from its use in
close quarters, where candles were
the only mode of illumination, soon
manifested themselves.
The fertile brain Of the inventor
finally hit upon unbreakable glass,
clear in color and non-inflammable.
Being of an unshrinkable nature, I'M
breakable glass is likewise dustproof,
which is not the case with ordinary
crystal. So great has become the de-
mand for wrist watches equipped with
unbreakable glass that European
manufacturers are working overtime
and being compelled to convert ladies'
WATCHES into timepieces to supply the
military needs.
Until recently the bracelet watch
has been looked upon by Americans as
more or less of a joke. Vaudeville
artists and moving picture actors have
utilized it as a fun maker, as "silly
ass" fad.
Now, however, since preparedness
has become the watchword and time
pieces have become necessary part
Of the equipment of soldiers, the status
of the wrist watch is changing. The
DIRECTORS are now willing to concede
the value of bracelet watch for gen
eral outdoor life, but have not quite
reached the point where, after poking \
| fun at it, they can consistently adopt
! it for all occasions.-New York Times.
Much of the better wallpaper is