Watch books
I've been a member of this community for about 6 month now. I have seen a lot of watches and I have read a lot of opinions about watches. But now and then, I see some people recommending some sources of deeper information about the subject. Most of that are YouTube videos and some websites. Very rarely I saw some book recommendations about the subject. But I think books will provide the best and most reliable information about this fascinating subject. So, here is a list of books that I'm going to try to read this year to learn about watch and watchmaking history.
Hopefully some other watch enthusiasts will find these interesting.
(BTW, X means I have read it already).
P.S. If anyone has more books to recommend, please do not hesitate to do so. I would appreciate it very much.
Watch enthusiast trying to become a watch collector.
I appreciate your list! I'm part of the old guard who really likes the look and feel of a good book while knowing full well that the jump links and 3D animated illustrations found in digital media have their advantages.
Still though being curled up on the couch on a rainy night in front of the fireplace with a good book is pretty dreamy.
I was just thinking about this. Thanks for the list! I much prefer being untethered to devices and having physical books, catalogs, and magazines.
Great picks. George is a legend watch maker and the book is pretty technical but that’s where the real watch makers are at. Pretty cool!
The best watch related book I've come across is "The Wristwatch Handbook" by Ryan Schmidt, available on Amazon for a very reasonable price.
I picked up a copy of George Daniels "Watchmaking" and have to say, if you're looking for a casual read, that isn't a good choice. It really gets into the weeds, and I'd only recommend if you have a really deep interest in the technical details.
The best watch related book I've come across is "The Wristwatch Handbook" by Ryan Schmidt, available on Amazon for a very reasonable price.
I picked up a copy of George Daniels "Watchmaking" and have to say, if you're looking for a casual read, that isn't a good choice. It really gets into the weeds, and I'd only recommend if you have a really deep interest in the technical details.
I second this - reading it too soon could slow your momentum.
George Daniels was a watchmaking titan. If I'm not mistaken, he is the father of the coaxial movement used in Omega watches. That book is great but I'm going to need a higher dose of Ritalin to get through that
I have too many Horological books. Not sure how many anymore.
These are neat ones. I have both the 11th edition and the 14th edition. The 14th is much thicker because electronic clocks became prominent and much was added on the topic.
Watchmaking by George Daniels I would recommend only if you are super interested in technical aspect of creating watch from zero in own workshop, understand technical charts, etc. I have it and read one chapter probably, not what I expected. Like - “how to create a balance wheel from piece of metal” with few charts and that’s it. Book is intended rather at master watchmakers than an ordinary person who thinks of watch as a hobby.
As a Soviet watch guy, i can only dream of there the same number of books about them as there are of Rolex— in English or Russian. I am curious about Daniels’ book, but I have heard that it can be highly technical. It’s cool to hear how many big-deal independent watchmakers there are today because of his book.
Not strictly watches as it covers the whole business - but “The Cartiers” by Francesca Cartier is a good read.
Practical watch repair by Donald De Carle. I have this. The world has moved on so much since he wrote this.
As an instance he suggests keeping old wine glasses that the stems have broken away, for dust covers for parts.
He even suggests the use of arsenic for some process. ( or was it some other lethal poison, I can't remember)
As a Soviet watch guy, i can only dream of there the same number of books about them as there are of Rolex— in English or Russian. I am curious about Daniels’ book, but I have heard that it can be highly technical. It’s cool to hear how many big-deal independent watchmakers there are today because of his book.
I actually found a few books in Russian. One is interesting, a translation of Christian Huygens' "Three Memoirs of Mechanics", one is "History of Watches" by Grigoriev and Porovski and a few form 1930s and 1950s about watch repair.
I looked through the Daniel's book and it is very technical. But, after reading about history, I would like to dive into some technical details and maybe, even try to build something myself.
Practical watch repair by Donald De Carle. I have this. The world has moved on so much since he wrote this.
As an instance he suggests keeping old wine glasses that the stems have broken away, for dust covers for parts.
He even suggests the use of arsenic for some process. ( or was it some other lethal poison, I can't remember)
You are right. But still there are a few things we can pick up from that book that are useful today. Also, it is interesting from a historical perspective to see what techniques were used before new technological inventions.
Not strictly watches as it covers the whole business - but “The Cartiers” by Francesca Cartier is a good read.
Thank you.
I have too many Horological books. Not sure how many anymore.
These are neat ones. I have both the 11th edition and the 14th edition. The 14th is much thicker because electronic clocks became prominent and much was added on the topic.
Thanks. I have this one too. It will come later, in my list number 2.
I actually found a few books in Russian. One is interesting, a translation of Christian Huygens' "Three Memoirs of Mechanics", one is "History of Watches" by Grigoriev and Porovski and a few form 1930s and 1950s about watch repair.
I looked through the Daniel's book and it is very technical. But, after reading about history, I would like to dive into some technical details and maybe, even try to build something myself.
Maybe not quite what I’m looking for but thank you for sharing your findings
You are right. But still there are a few things we can pick up from that book that are useful today. Also, it is interesting from a historical perspective to see what techniques were used before new technological inventions.
Drawings do have value
As an aside, the Horological Society of New York has a library that's open to the public. It's impressive, one could spend a lot of time there. I doubt the books circulate however, so you would have to spend a lot of time there to read through a book. Worth a visit though, if you're in town.
https://hs-ny.org/library
As an aside, the Horological Society of New York has a library that's open to the public. It's impressive, one could spend a lot of time there. I doubt the books circulate however, so you would have to spend a lot of time there to read through a book. Worth a visit though, if you're in town.
https://hs-ny.org/library
Thank you for the info.
Daniels has other books which are not so intense, including “All in Good Time”. But I think the best book out there is “The Watchmaker’s Handbook “. I’ve given several copies to enthusiasts and they love it. The photos are exceptional and you will learn just enough about every conceivable complication out there.