The wristwatch It is generally believed that wristwatches are an exception to the normal sequence in the evolution of men's jewelry. Reversing the usual order, they were first worn by women and then adopted by men. In the old days, queens included wristwatches among their crown jewelry. Later they were worn by Swiss workers and farmers. Until World War I, Americans associated the watch with fortune hunters. Then army officers discovered that the wristwatch was most practical for active combat. Race car drivers also loved to wear wristwatches and pilots found them most useful while flying. Soon men dared to wear wristwatches without feeling self-conscious. By 1924 some 30% of men's watches were worn on the wrist. Today the figure is 90% and they are now worn by both men and women for practical purposes rather than for decoration.