Cult Watches: The World's Enduring Classics [Hardcover]

Michael Balfour (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2007

Wristwatches are 'micromarvels' of engineering that attract the attention of collectors, investors and regular wearers alike. "Cult Watches" is a lavishly illustrated account of the world's most popular classic timepieces - the top 30 that have achieved cult status, from the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona and Cartier Tank to Ingersoll Mickey Mouse watches and the 'quartz revolution' Swatches. Watch-industry expert Michael Balfour introduces the great horological innovators and their legacies, and adds historical asides that enhance our understanding of both their contexts and their enduring attractions. Future contenders for the status of cult watch are not forgotten, with the result that this book features hundreds of watches in words and pictures. This is the first book to portray the wristwatches with the most dedicated following. Each model and its brand is profusely illustrated with a fascinating variety of both historical and contemporary images, for ready reference. This is a beautifully produced book that will appeal to watch enthusiasts, collectors and investors worldwide.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Beautifully produced and authoritatively written - BLACKMORE VALE MAGAZINE Lavishly illustrated - EUROPA STAR Beautifully illustrated ... Great for watch enthusiasts, collectors and investors - CONNOISSEUR WITH AA GILL Filled with delicious trivia, solid history and a great understanding of what makes a watch something out of the ordinary - the book is a delight - QP MAGAZINE --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Michael Balfour is a leading commentator on the world watch industry, and broadcasts and lectures on the subject. He regularly writes for many international watch journals, and is the principal watch-industry correspondent for the Financial Times.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Merrell Publishers (October 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1858943876
• ISBN-13: 978-1858943879
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 10.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,468,754 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars up-to-date review and commentary of high-value collectible watches, March 20, 2008

By 

Henry Berry "Henry Berry" (Southport, CT) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cult Watches: The World's Enduring Classics (Hardcover)

Balfour highlights 30 of the world's leading watches with half a dozen or so color photographs so clear details of the watch faces can be seen and with essays on each watch's history and individuals who have played a role in its becoming a leading watch. "Leading" means watches which are expensive, but which also stand out for their design and craftsmanship and are desired by wealthy individuals around the world who have an appreciation for high quality and modern fashion design. Balfour is a prominent observer of the field of leading watches who besides doing frequent lectures and broadcasts, has written for GQ and Newsweek International. He is also the main watch-industry correspondent for the Financial Times.

In addition to highlighting the 30 watches, the handsome book contains considerable secondary material of interest to collectors at all levels; including newcomers to this glamorous field involving auctions and investment purchases as well as retail sales. In the Introduction, Balfour cites several watchmakers such as Alain Silberstein who necessarily, but regrettably were left out of the limit of 30 watches. While not receiving the full treatment of the highlighted watches, worthwhile information is given on these (i. e., they are not simply mentioned). In the section "Collecting and investing" of the Introduction, Balfour describes categories of watches such as sports watches, military watches, and car watches. Of an appearance and production quality of a coffee-table art or fashion book, "Cult Watches" has enough basic and authoritative content to be a primer and reference as well.

Some of the watchmakers are household names; while others are recondite to all but the most active and experienced collectors. Cartier, Rolex, and Bulova are known by most. Breguer, Girard-Perregaux, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and Tissot are not generally familiar. Balfour gives all of the chosen 30 watches, familiar or unfamiliar, equal treatment on the basis of his expertise and enthusiasm for this popular fashion field. Anyone attracted to it will enjoy and learn from the book.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Vintage Pictures, November 19, 2007

By 

B. M. Yasgur "YizzyJoint" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cult Watches: The World's Enduring Classics (Hardcover)

For watch enthusiasts of vintage pieces and ones that date back to the 70s and 80s this book is for you, it also includes newer timepieces but not as in depth.