The Watch [Hardcover]

Gene Stone (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2006

The Watch is a survey of the best vintage and contemporary men’s wristwatches that is as visually compelling as it is informative to read.

A well-made man’s wristwatch combines inspired design, technical innovation, and precise craftsmanship. Vintage watches are filled with sentiment and history, and are often passed from wrist to wrist across generations. Today, designers use cutting-edge techniques and materials to create some of the most complex miniature machines ever attempted.

Ranging from Patek Philippe and Rolex to Seiko and Swatch, and covering fifty brands in depth, the book provides essential wisdom on buying, collecting, and maintaining these timepieces. Illustrating the text are more than 500 photographs of men’s watches, including remarkable details of dials and movements, selected for their beauty and diversity from collections around the world.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

A wish book, a luxury item--yes. But there are serious watch collectors abroad in the land who not only would enjoy honing their appreciation for timeless timepieces but also could stand to learn a thing or two more about their passion, and this gorgeously illustrated large-format book is the answer. True, this book is for men; women readers are welcome, certainly, but featured here are vintage and contemporary watches for men. Watch collector Stone supplies, based on his considerable research, profiles of the 50 brands, arranged in alphabetical order, which are his personal favorites. (Other collectors and enthusiasts, as he acknowledges, might select other brands to discuss--but, after all, this is his book.) Accompanying text imparts, in several short paragraphs, the history of each brand; the beautifully photographed examples are absolutely breathtaking. Even readers who do not usually think of themselves as "watchies" will find it difficult to resist poring over these luscious pages. A general history of timepieces inaugurates the book and sets the informative and enthusiastic tone carried throughout. Brad Hooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Gene Stone, who has been a Peace Corps volunteer, a screenwriter, and a journalist, as well as a book, newspaper, and magazine editor, has spent the last five years researching the watch business. The author of more than 25 books and an avid watch collector, he lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (October 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810930935
• ISBN-13: 978-0810930933
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 9.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #80,164 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #6 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Clocks & Watches

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best watch book ever, November 29, 2006

By 

N. Greenlee - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Watch (Hardcover)

Finally, a great book on watches. What makes this book so special is that it works for everyone who loves timepieces, whether they're beginners or experts.

The book is divided into several sections, including a smart introduction on "what is a watch?" and an informative history of timepieces. The bulk of the book is an interesting survey of fifty of the greatest brands of all time, from Patek to Elgin, from Audemars to Zenith. Then comes one of the best parts of the book--a very useful section on how to collect and maintain your watches, plus instructive first-person accounts from some of the world's top collectors. Finally, there's a glossary of understandable definitions of the most common watch terms.

Most of all, there are over 600 stunning color illustrations, culled from auction houses, private collections, watch companies, as well as hundreds of original photographs shot exclusively for the book.

All in all, this makes a great gift and a great resource guide. What a wonderful book!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very contempory review of fine time pieces, January 9, 2007

By 

David Meaux (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Watch (Hardcover)

One of the best illustrated books you can find on fine time pieces. The nice thing about this book, besides being very thorough, is that it is very contemporary, with many examples of vintage as well as more recent time pieces.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Watch enthusiasts praise the book, November 11, 2006

By 

DocRWM "docrwm" (Woodstock, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Watch (Hardcover)

The watch collectors have their own online forums - as do most collectors today. This book was put together partially by asking them to contribute their photos, so all the compliments about the photos being superb (and they are) is a pat on the back of the collectors who donated their time, effort, and passion about watches by giving their photos for use in the book.