1 comments about Watches International: Volume X.

1. The annual watch books are very informative. Both books are different in their presentation, however, they both provide valuable information about the companies as well as their histories. Current information on the latest watches (i.e. type, material used, cost) are also valuable to the readers in terms of future purchases and comparisons.

5 comments about Coll. Encyclopedia of Pendant and Pocket Watches 1500-1950 (Collector's Encyclopedia).

1. The book is divided in 5 chapters, each one covering one century of watch development. Each chapter deals with case, movement and decorative procedures development. In the end of each chapter you will find a full range of color fotos of watches of that period. The pictures are very beautifull, but not unique: you will find them in The Sandberg's Watch Collection Book. I think that the book should earn just 3 stars, just because it does not have "unique" pictures. However, the pictures were unique for me, since i don't have sandberg's book.



2. Here's an example of a book that should never have been produced. The author is obviously misinformed and quite frankly, ignorant, regarding watches. The book is riddled with incorrect information regarding watch descriptions, including blatantly wrong jewel counts, movement descriptions, and the repititious "very fine and rare", "fine and lovely", "very fine and very rare", ad nauseum. The author constantly includes "micrometric regulator" in descriptions of pocket watches, that have NO micrometric regulators! The book is attractive, and has some excellent photographs, but, at best, this is a book that needed an author with some watch "smarts".



3. Great pictures,but I have aspected more from this book about movement's and calibres explanation.If you have just started to collect pocket watches,than this book is for you.If you need some details for movements and calibres you will be at the start of your expertise !!!



4. My 22 year old son is starting a collection of pocket watches and he has enjoyed this book. He uses it when he goes online to fine new treasures.
   It helps him know what to look for.



5. I was disappointed with this book. There appears to be no organization and the information does not appear to be accurate. I expected much more and this book did not deliver.

2 comments about Masters of Contemporary Watchmaking.

1. Great watches are usually the end of a story rather than the story itself. It is how the watch came into being; the thought process; the trials and tribulations of the man - and up until now it has usually been a man - behind the watch that provides the raison d'être of the watch itself. Giant leaps in technology have less impact without the human touch: sending a probe to Mars is impressive, but landing a man on the moon was breathtaking.
   
   Watchmaking is no different. To understand sublime timepieces you have to understand something of great watchmakers; however, that isn't always easy. Master watchmakers tend to either work for large brands, where their roles are hidden under layers of marketing fluff, or as independents, where they likely to have little or marketing presence at all. And in both cases, when we do manage to learn a little in an article or press release, it is often too shallow and product orientated to reveal much of the watchmaker himself.
   
   Masters of Contemporary Watchmaking provides an in-depth insight into 12 great watchmakers - George Daniels, Svend Andersen, Vincent Calabrese, Philippe Dufour, Antoine Preziuse, Franck Muller, Aniceto Pita, Alain Silberstein, Marco Lang, Vianney Halter and Roger Smith- through revealing interviews and lots of photographs, many of which are published for the first time in this book, that would by itself make the book a must have for any watch aficionado, but there's more . . .
   
   It also provides an window into the wider world of independent watchmaking, with pages devoted to Felix Baumgartner, Aaron Beçsei, Nicolas Delaloye, Romain Gauthier, Paul Gerber, Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey, Richard Habring, Beat Haldimann, John and Stephen McGonigle, Rainer Neinaber, Thomas Prescher, Daniel Roth, Stepan Sarpaneva, Peter Speake-Marin, Andreas Strehler, Christian van der Klaauw, Kari Voutilainen and Volker Vyskocil.
   
   If you appreciate fine watchmaking, this is a book that you will read over and over and I cannot recommend it highly enough.



2. Let me start by simply stating that I love watches. I have an obsession. It's an obsession that cannot be overcome by just buying more watches either. And, books like this do not help...
   
   This book is truly spectacular. The sheer size and weight alone is impressive enough. The images depicted are something you just can't get by looking at or in a watch. Nor can you get such great information about some of the greatest living watchmakers of our time. The author did a terrific job of capturing each of the watchmakers stories. Including very candid information from such controversial masters such as Franck Muller.
   
   A good portion of this book provides a deep look into the minds of several great watchmakers. In addition, towards the end, several other watchmakers are introduced as are their time pieces. Speaking of the time pieces, the images provide very large and high resolution views of some amazing movements. One can quickly forget how small the parts are when viewing at such a large scale.
   
   If you have a passion for watches, then you cannot go wrong by buying this book. If you have a love of anything mechanical, then you will quickly learn to appreciate the fine art of watchmaking.

5 comments about The Watch.

1. 
   This is one of the nicest watch books I have bought. Good photography, accurate text with plenty of information. Worth buyiny for any watch fan, more so then many other books I have bought



2. Since I recently came to be without a timepiece again, and since my knowledge of watches brands is limited to Rolex, Omega, and Swatch, I ordered this book to read up on watches before buying a new one. This book was one of the most entertaining books I recently read, and I must admit I have become a watch fanatic ever since I read it.
   
   Although the introductory history of timekeeping (covering from ancient egypt up to the cell phones of today) is fairly interesting, the most interesting part of the introduction is his comparison of the watch scene with an old European court. This gives a good high-level overview of the most important players, described in the remainder of the book.
   
   The main part of the book consists of a description of 50 of the most notable and famous historical watch brands out there, including their history, relations to other brands, ... These stories (which don't go into too much detail such that they would become boring) are a very interesting read, and serve as an excellent crash course into the world of watches for newcomers like me. However, what really puts the cherry on the cake are undoubtedly the 500 gorgeous high-quality pictures of watches and their movements, depicted in extremely high detail. On any given day, I find it fascinating to pick up the book, flip through the pages, and enjoy just looking at these photos for a while.
   
   The last part of the book focuses on the actual owning, exploring, and collecting of watches. Besides a handful of tips from the author, this part comes with several testimonies from different watch collectors. On top of this, the author created a few top 10s of watches, including "models that everybody should know", "models that are fun to look at", etc., which yet again is very valuable information for the uninitated like me.
   
   You can feel that the author has a passion for watches, knows what he's talking about, and put a lot of love into this book to share his passion and knowledge with the rest of the world. All this makes The Watch both a fascinating and entertaining to read, or, if you don't feel like reading, a nice way to feast your eyes on pretty shiny pictures.
   
   If, like me, you're interested in reading even more about watches after finishing The Watch, I can recommend Cult Watches: The World's Enduring Classics. Instead of discussing the different watch models of a variety brands, Cult Watches picks out 30 specific "cult" watches, and tells the detailed story behind each watch and its manufacturer. Although most of the brands in that book are described in this book as well, some of them that are only mentioned briefly in The Watch are covered in more detail in Cult Watches.



3. I really enjoyed this book. It is a great introduction to watches, covering the history of wristwatches, collecting and maintaining watches, and a profile of some collectors. The 50 brands give a fabulous overview of the industry and the state of the art, but as with any limited list there are some omissions which I was a bit disappointed about. It is a fabulous book that I thoroughly recommend.



4. Well written, nice photos, and lots of useful information (history, glossary, and collecting / buying tips). Fifty bands are covered and undoubtedly some interesting ones are missing but given the number of wristwatch brands available, I don't feel it's reasonable to expect much more in one volume. One reviewer states that this book is nothing more than advertisements. This is simply not true as evidenced by some comments that are clearly critical of a specific brand.
   This book will make an excellent addition to any wristwatch lover's library.
   
   If you're looking for a book to cover many more brands, especially the more obscure, and you don't mind what clearly IS advertising, then try "2010 Wristwatch Annual" It covers what seems to be an endless number of brands with very nice photos, brand history, technical information and list prices. It also has some educational information which is quite useful to collectors and watch buyers in general,



5. Please, spare us another walk down the same road. Lots of stock photographs of expensive watches, minimal copy, telling us nothing new or important, reminds me of the endless books that are cranked out about trains, cars, etc. Destined for the sale rack before they are even published. There must be at least twenty or thirty books about watches that could be lined up with this one and who would know the difference. Somebody, do something new and different about a very interesting subject!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3 comments about Practical Clock Repairing (3rd Edition).

1. The book was what I was looking for and more. Answered questions I didn't know I even had.



2. This book is a classic, around in various incarnations since the 1950's.
   
   The reason is simple: it covers a wide range of clocks and tackles a complex subject with admirable clarity. Well over 100 illustrations.



3. the book is very good but what i found out is that i already own this book mi guess 2 is better than one.ihave other booik and thyis i would rate as very good j mailler

5 comments about Vintage Rolex Sports Models: A Complete Visual Reference & Unauthorized History.

1. This book only has old watches in and not all of them at that. Some details are incorrect.
   However it is just a book on Rolex sports watches, but it has nothing new, the most modern watch it has is a 1975 GMT. So if you want to know something about Rolex wathes in the last 33 years, its not alot of good,



2. The book deals with older Rolex models. The number of photos, which are more valuable than words, is quite limited.
   
   The photos are of rare watches and the book has more of a educational aspect since the majority such watches are not sold or traded anymore.
   
   A good book if you are a keen Rolex person.



3. Good book containing a lot of interesting information.
   
   However it is a pity that all the pictures of the watches are not real, i.e. image recreated by computer, therefore all the watches look the same and the book does not mention the dimension of the watches.



4. While an informative reference on the History of Rolex. The book lacked the depth in accuracy that a collector wants to see in regards to the details of the time pieces there were presented in this book
   
   The authors used pictures thay were computer generated and as such this book did not reflect the true time piece. The authors use of AutoCAD drawings to represent the side profile of the case and this provides no gratitude for a Rolex collector, because collectors would like to actually the real time piece. Also, it seems that they superimposed different Rolex dials on the same watch case. As such, I feel that the authors did not throughly conduct a full field research of the topic they were so passionate on and doubt the accuracy of the whole book.
   
   The Rolex History was fantastic, but it's nothing you can't find on the WEB. As a Rolex collector, I would like to see actual pictures of the time pieces presented, as this provides me a sound representation of the time pieces that I am interested in.
   
   Pictorial wise, even though I can't read Japanese, I find the Japanese Rolex books far more informative.



5. very informative and loads of nice pix ! good ref guide to vintage rolex !

5 comments about Clock Repairing as a Hobby: An Illustrated How-To Guide for the Beginner.

1. This was a Christmas gift for my husband whom is interested in the repair of watches and clocks. He just needed additional information on repairing clocks, and he said this was the perfect book! He was very pleased.



2. i am sure this book will helpful just haven't got to it yet but sure it will do the trick thank you john



3. The work being reviewed here is the 1972 Edition. There have been two or three reprints of this work throughout the years but about all that has changed is the cover.
   
   There are a couple of considerations that need to be addressed in reviewing this work. First, this is a work, as stated on the cover and in the preface, "....for the beginner." It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that a complete course in clock repair and building can not be covered in 124 pages, and that is 124 pages of a rather small book. Secondly, this book was first published in 1972 which makes it 37 years old at the time of this review. This is okay though due to the fact that most of the clocks targeted in this book are well over 100 years old and the principles and techniques that worked in 1972 still work just as well today. Hey folks, we are not talking about a book here that teaches you to change batteries in ten dollar digital watches. Good grief, throw the bloody thing away and buy a new one (after you properly dispose of the battery of course, and not just send it to the landfill where it will add to the poison that will haunt your great, great, great grandchildren). Once again...this book is strictly for the beginner and concept and theory has not changed in well over 200 years, much less in thirty. The information here is not outdated. Now that being said:
   
   I love this old book. I have been fascinated with clocks since I was a wee one and was the bane of my father's existence as I would dismantle every clock in the house as fast as he could replace them. The problem came in when it was found that I was unable to put them back together. I love niggle little work, fine work, and he use to take me to his office that he shared with my grandfather. It was a dental office and they use to let me practice making dentures, partials, filling pulled teeth, and repairing such. Again, the problem came when I started taking apart their expensive dental equipment (I wanted to see how it worked), and again,I was not real good at putting in back together.
   
   Over the years I have collected old clocks; you know the kind, the wonderful old windups that you found on your grandmothers mantel. I have only one requirement when I purchase these clocks...they must NOT be in working condition! A working clock is a wonderful thing, it is like magic, but it is even more wonderful and wondrous if you know you are the one to make it so, i.e. work.
   
   This little volume covers basic clock movement, both theory and design, and practical clock repairing. I found that the section addressing the pendulum and the various variations of particular use. The author uses simple and for the most part nontechnical language to explain the complex workings of these machines, and explains them at the level that a beginner can easily understand. Wonderfully simple schematic drawings are provided. In the section devoted to the chimes and chiming mechanisms the author has even provided the sheet music for several popular (Whittington chime as an example) sounds. This, to be quite frank, is rather unique.
   
   I love the section devoted to practical repairing. The author has given us a complete rundown on all of the tools needed for your hobby. We also provided with a very nice explanation as to what each tool us used for and how to use it. The author has even gone into quite a bit of detail as to the work bench which (and trust me here) is quite important. The book does discuss the lathe and grinding wheels, but to be honest with you, if the repair requires machining special parts I am way over my head in this area and I simply take that part of the task to a professional.
   
   Now most of what I have learned has been completely self-taught. The author has stressed the importance of cleaning and maintenance. I learned long, long ago that many fine old clock that do not work and have not worked for years upon years can be purchased from the unwary for the price of a few cups of coffee, taken home and given a good cleaning, which takes very little time, and resold for enough to buy whole bunches of other old "broken" clocks! I know, I am a terrible person, but you know, business is business. If this book has one weak area for the beginner or hobbyist, it is the fact that is does not put enough emphasis on cleaning or cleaning techniques. There are other books out there that cover that and of course there is the thrill of simply learning it yourself.
   
   Is this the only book you will need to pursue this hobby? Heavens no! Will this work turn you into a master craftsman or woman overnight in the field of clock repair? Nope! Is this the best book out there for the beginner? I haven't a clue as I have not read all of them or used all of them. Did this book work for me? Yes. It has given me all the basic I needed and I have found that if I need more information I need to find "clock specific" literature on the particular piece I am working on and in many cases have to go directly to the manufacturer. Or I find that being a complete pest pays off big time. When I get in trouble I simply pester local professionals and wheedle information out of them a bit at a time.
   
   Am I good at this hobby? Hardly, there is so much to know and learn, but I do enjoy learning it and I do enjoy fiddling with the things. It is a good thing though that I do not have to make a living working on clocks...there would be great hunger and poverty in the family if I did. Anyway, this is a good book and I do recommend it.
   
   Don Blankenship
   The Ozarks



4. Book seems fine unless you are looking for a book to repair cuckoo clocks...which I was. I searched for "cuckoo clock repair" and this came up. Seems like a fine book, but is useless to me.



5. 
   Part of the way into Goodrich's "The Modern Clock," I realized I needed to start with a text that didn't assume the reader already works in a clock repair shop. There being several options, I decided to check a few out of the library before buying. Kelly's "Clock Repairing as a Hobby" was one of the ones that was available. It is definitely better suited to the beginner than Goodrich. It defines many of the parts and describes the workings, and also gives basic advice on how to proceed in clock repairs. I'd rate it as useful, but uneven and insufficient. Some clock parts are mentioned in the text or appear in a drawing (e.g., "cannon pinion") but are never defined. There are drawings of several escapements or striking mechanisms, but the reader is left to imagine how the parts move relative to each other based on the description in the text. For a beginner's book like this one, a drawing showing several states of the mechanism would be much more appropriate. Several basic concepts, like how the "lift" is distributed between the pallet faces and escape gear teeth, or what is meant by the "run of the lock" are never touched on at all! If I hadn't already seen an Internet-based animation of the deadbeat escapement, I wouldn't have a clue how it worked based on the description in Kelly! So I'm going to keep looking for a better book.

5 comments about Wristwatch Annual 2010: The Catalog of Producers, Prices, Models, and Specifications.

1. I have been purchasing Wristwatch Annual for several years now. Although it is not completely comprehensive, it usually has information on new and limited edition models, which are of the most interest to me.
   
   Unfortunately, this year's publication shows mostly regular models that are not very different from the year before. We only get a glimpse of the new or limited edition in a photo in the company profile section.
   
   Furthermore, while it has a bit of information on Seiko, it has none on Grand Seiko, which is as Lexus is to Totyoa.
   
   Overall, the content is just not as good as before.



2. Reviewer "Peace Monger" complains that there is no mention or representation of Grand Seiko in this issue so let me point out two facts. Number one, Grand Seiko watches are not available from dealers in the United States, I believe they are only available in the domestic Japanes market. Sure it might be nice to see them in this edition but his gripe is unwarranted since Wristwatch Annual is predominantly targeted to a U.S. readership (and perhaps the U.K.). Look at the dealer ads and service centers mentioned, they are all US based. Second point is that this is the first edition of Wristwatch Annual that has (ever) had a Seiko section. So, at least the brand is represented in this edition. I checked my annual editions bavk to the 1999 edition to verify this. I think this 2010 edition is a great book. Certainly an improvement over the 2008 edition which tried to cram too many watches (eight) on each page versus the six per page in this, and last year's 2009 edition. However, the pictures are still a tiny bit smaller than the pre 2008 (2007 and backwards) editions. Nevertheless, the pictures are nice, the individual watch descriptions informative and many new models are represented in this new 2010 edition. If you are at all interested in high quality Swiss and German manufactured watches, you must purchase this eagerly anticipated yearly book!



3. As a lover of Horology, I have bought many magazines, books & periodicals over the years. I believe "Wristwatch Annual" is one of the tomes' that has all the pertinent information one could desire with regard to any specific watch or Manufacture. I have been buying "Wristwatch Annual" for about 8 years now, and this edition does not disappoint.



4. Very nice, but nothing new. All information you get it at the web.
   Just to have all information together in one catalogue.



5. An excellent survey of the major European watch manufactures and designers. The graphics are excellent. Very little discussion or writeups on the Asian manufacturers. As someone new to watch collecting I found it fascinating and well worth the modest cost. I loved looking at million dollar watches but I would also like to see writeups and comments on watches costing less than one thousand dollars. I will definitely buy next years edition. Amazon's service was excellent as we have come to expect.

5 comments about Complete Price Guide to Watches No. 30.

1. A must book for anyone looking for a wide information source on vintage watches. Contains, price value estimates/ranges, and some history.



2. This book covers just about everything you could possibly want to know. It has been very helpful in my business.



3. This book is very helpful if you are collector of pocket watches. I purchased this edition to replace the 2001 version that I have.



4. Este es uno de los mejores libros de relojeria, es indispensable para cualquier coleccionista de relojes, alta calidad, informacion valiosa.



5. This is the best book made for accurate history and documentation of pocketwatches and wristwatches. Excellent book, I order a new one each year, to keep up with pricing etc.

5 comments about Practical Watch Repairing.

1. its an old book , so you wont find much about quartz watches, but its fun to read it.



2. This is a very good book for working on the watches of antiquity... you know, the wind ups. But, if you are looking for a primer on repairing battery watches...LOOK ELSEWHERE!!! The information included regarding modern watches is severely limited. Maybe I'll relist this book and sell it as slightly used.



3. Paying 5-6 dollars for a 50 cent battery is ridiculous. Buy the tools, and the battery packs for 50 to 75 cents each, and put them in yourself. It's easy to do, just a little practice, and it's a piece of cake.



4. This is a very detailed book with good drawings and explainations of proceedures and tools to help you understand what it takes to do watch repair. It's taken me a little effort to understand his style of writting, I think you could call it old english, considering the time and place it was written. A very good book for someone who wants to do any level of watch repair. This book will stay in my library.



5. This book is very thorough and covers a lot of material. I was looking for something simple to do my own maintenance, and this book goes way beyond. This is geared more for the serious hobbyist looking to sit down and spend some serious study time!