Watches: A Complete History of the Technical and Decorative Development of the Watch

A comprehensive illustrated reference work on the general history of watches from 1500 to 1980, featuring over 600 illustrations and written by leading horology historians and clockmakers. The book covers both decorative and mechanical aspects of mid-sixteenth to late twentieth-century watches, including those by George Daniels himself, and discusses the development of precision watches and escapements.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 28 April 2022
Publisher: Philip Wilson Publishers Ltd

The long-awaited reprint of a significant illustrated reference work on the general history of watches from 1500 to 1980 has finally arrived. When Watches was first published in 1965, it quickly established itself as the preeminent general history of the subject, and its expanded edition in 1979, which covered recent years past 1830, remained unchallenged in horological history. In this eagerly awaited reprinted edition, collectors and horological students can once again utilize the reference illustrations and history in this work as approached by the leading horology historians and clockmakers of the twentieth century. Clutton and Daniels write expertly on the vast history of watches, encompassing the changing tastes and styles of collectors and makers, as well as imparting their own knowledge on various technical aspects within the watches. The expansive historical section covers both decorative and mechanical aspects of mid-sixteenth to late twentieth-century watches, including those by George Daniels himself, detailing the rich history behind more modern designs and fascinations. These later years include a variety of semi-experimental escapements, as well as covering the development of the precision watch and work leading to it by Ferdinand Berthoud and Pierre Le Roy, discussed alongside John Arnold in England, to satisfy the technical-minded collector. Horology and collecting have grown with the changing technologies, and watches continue to be produced to an exceptional technological standard. Precision watches from the 1730-1930 period are covered in detail, as well as high-standard Swiss and American watches of the last hundred years; these highly complicated watches benefit greatly from having both color and mono illustrations to clarify the details.

Weight: 2254g
Dimension: 249 x 338 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781781301135