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The Wristwatch Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide to Mechanical Wristwatches
Despite the functional obsolescence of the mechanical wristwatch (our phones and computers tell more accurate time) the early 21st Century has seen a boom in the development, production, and appreciation of all things horological. Whether it is presented to the collector as an alternative investment, as a feat of micro-mechanical technology, or as a showcase of artisanal mastery, the mechanical wristwatch has never possessed more forms, functions or facets than it does today. The Wristwatch Handbook is written from the epicenter of a renaissance, a place in time between the Quartz revolution and the rise of the smart device - where the mechanical wristwatch is the antidote to the microprocessor and the permanent buzz of your inbox. From the multi-axis tourbillon, to the split-second chronograph, to the sidereal sky chart, The Wristwatch Handbook covers it all and does so with more than 470 rich illustrations from over 90 of the World's leading brands.
The book is separated into two sections. The first section provides the reader with a comprehensive understanding of the mechanical movement. Its chapters explore power, transmission, distribution and regulation illustrating the basic concepts before considering the innovation and complexity that takes place further toward the cutting edge. From the fifty-day power reserve, to the constant force mechanism, and the 1,000Hz mechanical escapement, section 1 will allow the reader to understand and appreciate what is happening beneath the dial of their watch. Section two allows the reader to take this understanding and apply it to the vast range of complications (functions) that exist in modern horology. Each chapter showcases a distinct category of complication. For example, the regatta timer, pulsometer, and monopusher chronograph join a host of others in a chapter entitled 'Recording Lapses of Time'; The power reserve indicator, dynamograph, and crown position indicator are featured in a chapter for 'Power and Performance Indication'; The moon phase indicator, annual calendar, and planetarium can be found in the 'Astronomical Complications' chapter. Once the functional categories are exhausted, the final three chapters explore whimsical complications that have little regard for practical function, novelty time indication, and the 'super-complicated' watch - a rare breed of timepiece that houses an intimidating host of complications featured throughout the book. Upon completion of The Wristwatch Handbook the reader will be able to identify even the most exotic complication from across the room, and be able to share their appreciation and understanding of what makes it so useful and compelling.
The Wristwatch Handbook is "brand agnostic", using only those watches that most aptly illustrate the given subject-matter. As a consequence the book places equal emphasis on the classic and the cutting edge, on watches produced in large volume or exclusive runs, by industry-leading technology or at the hand of a master. In doing so the book provides an unparalleled range of watches from over 90 brands, allowing the reader to determine for themselves which brands, complications, and styles they will build their collection from.
The book is separated into two sections. The first section provides the reader with a comprehensive understanding of the mechanical movement. Its chapters explore power, transmission, distribution and regulation illustrating the basic concepts before considering the innovation and complexity that takes place further toward the cutting edge. From the fifty-day power reserve, to the constant force mechanism, and the 1,000Hz mechanical escapement, section 1 will allow the reader to understand and appreciate what is happening beneath the dial of their watch. Section two allows the reader to take this understanding and apply it to the vast range of complications (functions) that exist in modern horology. Each chapter showcases a distinct category of complication. For example, the regatta timer, pulsometer, and monopusher chronograph join a host of others in a chapter entitled 'Recording Lapses of Time'; The power reserve indicator, dynamograph, and crown position indicator are featured in a chapter for 'Power and Performance Indication'; The moon phase indicator, annual calendar, and planetarium can be found in the 'Astronomical Complications' chapter. Once the functional categories are exhausted, the final three chapters explore whimsical complications that have little regard for practical function, novelty time indication, and the 'super-complicated' watch - a rare breed of timepiece that houses an intimidating host of complications featured throughout the book. Upon completion of The Wristwatch Handbook the reader will be able to identify even the most exotic complication from across the room, and be able to share their appreciation and understanding of what makes it so useful and compelling.
The Wristwatch Handbook is "brand agnostic", using only those watches that most aptly illustrate the given subject-matter. As a consequence the book places equal emphasis on the classic and the cutting edge, on watches produced in large volume or exclusive runs, by industry-leading technology or at the hand of a master. In doing so the book provides an unparalleled range of watches from over 90 brands, allowing the reader to determine for themselves which brands, complications, and styles they will build their collection from.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published August 6, 2019
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329 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 18, 2023
A truly masterpiece for every watch lovers...
Nothing else
Nothing else
October 31, 2020
An absolute essential for anyone who is getting into this hobby.
November 23, 2021
A fascinating read for anyone interested in watches or horology.
This book delivers stunning photos of some of the most beloved watchmakers and references in the world. Seeing the compilation of such pieces in a cohesive and consistent print format is a joy to read discover page to page. Like I did, you might initially find the book a little unwieldy with it being twice the physical size and weight of a typical book. But I came to love the execution of this form factor. It afforded such a great opportunity for dashing color and large-scale, high quality photography and renderings that do striking watch dials appropriate justice.
As far as content, I think the book generally does a good job of discussing different timepiece complications and the mechanical quirks of each. I learned a lot about some of the more obscure mechanisms and alternative functional designs. It also provides very thoughtful and deliberate chapter organization. Most chapters were devoted to one or two unique mechanical watch functions with several examples of each.
However, I gave this book a 4 instead of 5 stars due to how it approached its descriptions of movements. I felt at many points that this book struggled to convey the technical component wizardry that made given complications possible. A dictionary would have given it a perfect score, but dictionaries don't teach engineering or art for a reason. It exceled at the "here's what this watch complication does" descriptors, but fell short in the "here's the technical specifications that make that possible". I felt that this book went a little too deep at points for the intent of what it's meant to be. 80% of this book is eye candy and information about classical horological timepieces. 20% of it is attempting to be a technical manual. In my view, this was not the appropriate medium to discuss things like the intricacies of unique torque governor mechanisms, and when it tried to do that kind of thing, I left confused — feeling like I needed to find that line 50-or-so pages back in order to understand the context appropriately ("What's a remontoire again??? And why is that relevant here?").
Here's an example of a passage maybe less than a few dozen pages in: "when the discharging pallet on the roller passes the spring in one direction it moves the claw and the locking pallet on the detent causing the escape wheel to unlock and deliver a radial impulse to the impulse pallet on the roller before being locked again. As the discharging pallet passes in the other direction it only agitates the blade spring which does not push against the detent. The detent therefore gives only one radial impulse (as opposed to two sliding friction impulses) to the balance wheel per oscillation and the resting friction of the escape wheel is isolated from the balance for all but that moment. Asa result, the detent is highly accurate and the escape wheel teeth require no lubrication."
However, in general this is a small flaw. And if you have more horological prowess than I do, perhaps you'd even appreciate these touches. In all, a superb book for any enthusiast I would highly recommend!
This book delivers stunning photos of some of the most beloved watchmakers and references in the world. Seeing the compilation of such pieces in a cohesive and consistent print format is a joy to read discover page to page. Like I did, you might initially find the book a little unwieldy with it being twice the physical size and weight of a typical book. But I came to love the execution of this form factor. It afforded such a great opportunity for dashing color and large-scale, high quality photography and renderings that do striking watch dials appropriate justice.
As far as content, I think the book generally does a good job of discussing different timepiece complications and the mechanical quirks of each. I learned a lot about some of the more obscure mechanisms and alternative functional designs. It also provides very thoughtful and deliberate chapter organization. Most chapters were devoted to one or two unique mechanical watch functions with several examples of each.
However, I gave this book a 4 instead of 5 stars due to how it approached its descriptions of movements. I felt at many points that this book struggled to convey the technical component wizardry that made given complications possible. A dictionary would have given it a perfect score, but dictionaries don't teach engineering or art for a reason. It exceled at the "here's what this watch complication does" descriptors, but fell short in the "here's the technical specifications that make that possible". I felt that this book went a little too deep at points for the intent of what it's meant to be. 80% of this book is eye candy and information about classical horological timepieces. 20% of it is attempting to be a technical manual. In my view, this was not the appropriate medium to discuss things like the intricacies of unique torque governor mechanisms, and when it tried to do that kind of thing, I left confused — feeling like I needed to find that line 50-or-so pages back in order to understand the context appropriately ("What's a remontoire again??? And why is that relevant here?").
Here's an example of a passage maybe less than a few dozen pages in: "when the discharging pallet on the roller passes the spring in one direction it moves the claw and the locking pallet on the detent causing the escape wheel to unlock and deliver a radial impulse to the impulse pallet on the roller before being locked again. As the discharging pallet passes in the other direction it only agitates the blade spring which does not push against the detent. The detent therefore gives only one radial impulse (as opposed to two sliding friction impulses) to the balance wheel per oscillation and the resting friction of the escape wheel is isolated from the balance for all but that moment. Asa result, the detent is highly accurate and the escape wheel teeth require no lubrication."
However, in general this is a small flaw. And if you have more horological prowess than I do, perhaps you'd even appreciate these touches. In all, a superb book for any enthusiast I would highly recommend!
January 5, 2021
If you are interested in horology and the fascinating world of mechanical watches, this is THE book for you (or if you know someone who is, this will a perfect gift)
I really enjoyed each page of the book, and I learnt many things about mechanical watches I had never heard of.
The print quality is high and the pictures are gorgeous. Even if the book consisted of its ~400 pictures alone, it would worth it. You will not find these pictures in print anywhere else.
You will learn about all the complications of the mechanical wristwatches that are out there (time, date, power reserve, tourbillions, astronomical complications, calendars, chimes, special sports complications, escapements, etc). You will learn about many famous and small/unknown brands.
The amount of text is spot on (not boring, but at the same time very informative)
I thought about mentioning even a single mistake or problem in the book, but I couldn't find any!
The print date is 2016, so almost all the important recent developments in the watchmaking world are covered.
I really enjoyed each page of the book, and I learnt many things about mechanical watches I had never heard of.
The print quality is high and the pictures are gorgeous. Even if the book consisted of its ~400 pictures alone, it would worth it. You will not find these pictures in print anywhere else.
You will learn about all the complications of the mechanical wristwatches that are out there (time, date, power reserve, tourbillions, astronomical complications, calendars, chimes, special sports complications, escapements, etc). You will learn about many famous and small/unknown brands.
The amount of text is spot on (not boring, but at the same time very informative)
I thought about mentioning even a single mistake or problem in the book, but I couldn't find any!
The print date is 2016, so almost all the important recent developments in the watchmaking world are covered.
September 20, 2022
the absolute definitive guide to watches. no prior knowledge required. exhaustively written and masterfully photographed, Schmidt deftly intertwines the history and functions of watches. an stunning work of art.
October 16, 2022
It was a great introduction to all the complications out there.
Sometimes it's difficult to relate the explanation with the photo and some zoom in the areas he is talking about could make it more easy to follow.
Sometimes it's difficult to relate the explanation with the photo and some zoom in the areas he is talking about could make it more easy to follow.
January 10, 2023
All good, nice pictures, a lot of knowledge and it makes a nice coffee table piece.
Not sure anyone would read it front to back, it is more to look something up where you don't want to look it up at Wikipedia.
Not sure anyone would read it front to back, it is more to look something up where you don't want to look it up at Wikipedia.
February 20, 2019
A beautifully written and photographed book that should be on every watch connoisseur's bookshelf
January 5, 2020
Schmidt is a master on mechanical watches. A fascinating book that highlights the parts and pieces of watches along with detailed pictures.
January 12, 2021
Really great and thorough information. Wonderful photos!!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews