The Best of Time: Rolex Wristwatches: An Unauthorized History [Hardcover]

James M Dowling (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0764313673 | ISBN-13: 978-0764313677 | Publication Date: October 2001 | Edition: 2

The name Rolex is recognized around the world. As an icon of beauty, quality, accuracy, style, and taste. While there are other fine manufacturers of timepieces, none has reached this pinnacle of public respect and acclaim. The watches produced by Rolex over the last 90 years are celebrated in this lavishly illustrated classic, now in an expanded second edition. Dowling and Hess, both acknowledged Rolex authorities, have captured the watches' beauty in color photography and present the most thorough and extensive history written of the company. Information for collectors and newly revised market values of the watches make this a truly useful volume, one that will be cherished by watch lovers around the world.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Schiffer+publishing Ltd; 2 edition (October 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764313673
• ISBN-13: 978-0764313677
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.5 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,159,318 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

74 of 81 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Although it has its problems, I recommend this book, August 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Rolex Wristwatches: An Unauthorized History (Hardcover)

There are few decent books available about Rolex watches. Therefore, Dowling and Hess' massive tome on the subject is an extremely welcome addition to the subject. Their book is definitely well-researched, producing what is currently the definitive book on Rolex. Brief but informative chapters about some of the most recognizable Rolex designs (e.g., Explorer, Submariner, Daytona, OysterQuartz...) are augmented by beautiful color reproductions of the models they discuss. Furthermore, the authors provide very informative chapters regarding the Perpetual movement, chronometers, and the history of the company. Simply stated, this is THE Rolex book. If you love Rolex, this book is a must.

While the book, as a whole, is excellent, there are still some areas that I feel prevent it from being a 5-star book. First, the chapters could have been expanded to include more information about the watches. For example, the chapter on the Sumariner and Sea-Dweller (Ch. 12), while providing the basic underlying premises and history for both models, is far too brief. As with some of the other chapters, the authors should have included more information, even if that meant deleting a few pictures. While the authors obviously uncovered a lot of new information (mostly technical, to their credit), their text also "recycles" facts that most Rolex aficionados already know. Perhaps the book is intended for the generalist as well as the specialist; however, the short chapters create a text that cannot fully meet the needs of either. Secondly, the book could have used some additional editing. The writing is acceptable, but for such an expensive book a few more drafts could have smoothed out the prose style, which is at times a little rough and detracts from the subject.

In sum, while I love this book because it is certainly the best book about Rolex that exists, it is also likely that it will not fully meet the needs of many people who purchase it. Maybe there is a need for two volumes: one that is intended for the novice, and one that is intended for the experienced collector. In this book, it seems as though Dowling and Hess try to placate everybody, but they do so with mixed success, revealing the book's limitations as well as its strengths. But go ahead and buy the book for its strengths alone--it is definitely worth it.

35 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource, though not 100% accurate, April 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Rolex Wristwatches: An Unauthorized History (Hardcover)

James Dowling et al have written one of the best books on Rolex watches available. Though not 100% accurate, it is well worth the wealth of information. If you like pictures of Rolex watches, this book is for you. Never have I seen so many interesting pics of Wilsdorf creations. If you're looking for a less expensive and smaller book chock full of Rolex data (no pics), then you might consider The Rolex Reference Guide - 2nd Edition by Charlie Jarman. But if you want gloss and in depth Rolex history, buy Dowling's book. Heck, go ahead and buy both!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Rolex reference, but not much in updates for 3rd edition, August 19, 2007

By 

Michael Chung (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Best of Time Rolex Wristwatches: An Unauthorized History (Schiffer Book for Collectors) (Hardcover)

For a comprehensive Rolex history with pictures, this is one of the best books out there. I definitely recommend this book for the Rolex enthusiast. Because it focuses mostly on history, the pictures are mostly of vintage models.

I own the 2nd edition (published 2001) and was excited when I saw the 3rd edition available (published 2006). I thought maybe there would be updates on the newer watches especially the 50th Anniversary Submariner and Day-Date (the green ones). To my disappointment, the 2nd and 3rd editions appeared to be identical except for the price guide at the end of the book. Yes, it's nice to have updated numbers, but I feel an updated edition should mention some updated watches as well.

A printing error on page 383 was not corrected in this 3rd edition either. That page shows a picture of an upside down Seadweller, but the print below the picture says "The Yachtmaster."

If you already own the 2nd edition and don't care for an updated price list, there's no need to spend $75+ for the 3rd edition. However, the 3rd edition is a good purchase for the first time buyer.

Overall I give the book 5 stars, but I'm giving it 4 stars here because of the lack of updates for the 3rd edition.