Collecting and Repairing Watches [Hardcover]

Max Cutmore (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1999

A revised and updated edition of "The Watch Collector's Handbook", this practical guide to all aspects of collecting and repairing watches is designed to provide both beginners and established collectors with all the information they need to pursue their interest with knowledge and confidence. Max Cutmore begins this edition with an in-depth historical survey of watches and watchmaking, from the very earliest 14th-century designs right up to the late 1990s. He examines the technology and manufacture of all types of watches, including cheap mechanical designs, electronic watches, the modern wrist watch and Swiss pocket watches. Based on his own practical experience, the author then offers collectors detailed advice on exactly what to look for and the pitfalls to avoid, and includes a step-by-step assessment guide to use when making a purchase. Basic instructions are also provided on repair work, identifying lines of approach and essential tools and materials.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 191 pages
• Publisher: David & Charles; 2nd edition (March 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 071530819X
• ISBN-13: 978-0715308196
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,400,282 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A very well written summary of the watch development, April 7, 2000

By 

flavio pimenta (Distrito Federal, Brasil) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Collecting and Repairing Watches (Hardcover)

If you are a "newbie" in the world of watch collecting, this is the right book for you. It focuses the watch evolution from the late 16TH century to the modern quartz watch. It has a lot of graphics and black and white pocket watch pictures...The book, however, is, in my point of view, intended for a quick knowledge of the watch's history and mechanics...It doesn't cover, for instance, the modern automatic wristwatch. I think that's the best book to read before trying something more techicall. The reading is very straight forward, but the experts in the field will find the book very summarized.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Old pocket watches explained, August 13, 2002

By 

misterbeets "misterbeets" (Safe Harbor, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Collecting & Repairing Watches (Paperback)

The focus is on antique European pocket watches, especially British ones, this being a British publication. The technical history of watches is thoroughly covered, the various outdated watch mechanisms--verge, fusee, cylinder escapement--are explained, and interesting footnotes are included, like the wage records from a 19th century watch shop. A chapter on repair will get you started, and even tell you how to restore the blueing on the watch hands (heat them in a tray over an alcohol lamp). The author has spent much of his life studying and collecting old watches, and has produced an easy-to-read guide filled with interesting and useful information.

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating book, January 1, 2012

By 

James D. Crabtree "Doc Crabtree" (Fort Leavenworth, Kansas) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Collecting & Repairing Watches (Paperback)

If you just have a casual interest in mechanial watches or really want to learn their inner workings this is a great book for you. Well-illustrated and explained I found it very helpful.