In the fifteenth century, pocket watches were used to distinguish between the craftsmen and members of the upper class of the society as only the wealthy could use it. An early prototype of the pocket watch was worn in this era around the neck, rather than on a pocket watch chain, like an Albert T Bar chain. Historical figures such as the Duke of Modena, the Marchese di Manta and Meshur Sheyh Dede were all known to have used the first pocket watch designs.

The invention was necessitated by the need to have a time-teller that does not depend on a power source to work. Hence, the early designs of the pocket watch were mainspring powered and lacked a glass screen protector; sporting a brass lid only.

However, these early models of the pocket watches were not completely accurate in time telling, but the problem was fixed by the introduction of a lever escapement, and a minute handle which was not evident in the previous models.