For centuries people have been captivated by watches-whether for their technical precision, their unique design, or their historic importance. Each of the one hundred watches profiled in this elegant book stands out for one or more of these qualities. Organized chronologically and divided by century, the watches are presented in spacious, double-page spreads, featuring exquisite photography with engaging, incisive texts. Readers will discover an astonishing Elizabethan-era watch with astrolabic dial; an early seventienth century watch encased in a single emerald; two of the earliest watches to incorporate the balance spring-a feature that revolutionized timekeeping and some of the first repeating and perpetual calendar watches. These are followed by the first lever watch important precision watches; early ninetienth century enamel and automaton watches; highly complex watches by Breguet and Patek Philippe; Sir Winston Churchill's Victory watch; a Rolex made to commemorate Indian Republic Day; an Omega Speedmaster that went into space; and a Roger Smith wristwatch completed in 2023. Appearing for the first time together in book form, this historic collection will appeal to sophisticated collectors, amateur watch enthusiasts, and anyone with an interest in the art and science of horology.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.