2 comments about The Watchmaker's and Model Engineer's Lathe: A User's Manual.

1. This book is divided in two parts. The first half of the book covers the overall concepts and use of watchmaker's lathes. The second half reviews all the models that might be typically found. Not entirely encompassing list... but pretty close.

   If you are considering buying a watchmaker's lathe... this is a MUST HAVE book. Also, this is highly recommended for any one who likes lathes in general.

   It's obvious the author really cares about his subject. It is enjoyable to read. The diagrams are excellent.

   Crazy as this sounds, the photos are very good, but actually I thought the line art of the machines (like you see in the Wall Street Journal) is more understandable than regular photos.

   Originally published in 1952, it has been updated over the years in several editions. This fifth edition in 1998 incorporates much of the original material... in the areas of general concepts. Then it substantially revises the second half of the book regarding the lathes of the world that are generally found.

   The book lists lots of good resources in the back -- for manufacturers, etc.

   John




2. I can not say enough good things about Mr. de Carle.
   Thank you for your instruction.

2 comments about Cult Watches: The World's Enduring Classics.

1. For watch enthusiasts of vintage pieces and ones that date back to the 70s and 80s this book is for you, it also includes newer timepieces but not as in depth.



2. Balfour highlights 30 of the world's leading watches with half a dozen or so color photographs so clear details of the watch faces can be seen and with essays on each watch's history and individuals who have played a role in its becoming a leading watch. "Leading" means watches which are expensive, but which also stand out for their design and craftsmanship and are desired by wealthy individuals around the world who have an appreciation for high quality and modern fashion design. Balfour is a prominent observer of the field of leading watches who besides doing frequent lectures and broadcasts, has written for GQ and Newsweek International. He is also the main watch-industry correspondent for the Financial Times.
   
   In addition to highlighting the 30 watches, the handsome book contains considerable secondary material of interest to collectors at all levels; including newcomers to this glamorous field involving auctions and investment purchases as well as retail sales. In the Introduction, Balfour cites several watchmakers such as Alain Silberstein who necessarily, but regrettably were left out of the limit of 30 watches. While not receiving the full treatment of the highlighted watches, worthwhile information is given on these (i. e., they are not simply mentioned). In the section "Collecting and investing" of the Introduction, Balfour describes categories of watches such as sports watches, military watches, and car watches. Of an appearance and production quality of a coffee-table art or fashion book, "Cult Watches" has enough basic and authoritative content to be a primer and reference as well.
   
   Some of the watchmakers are household names; while others are recondite to all but the most active and experienced collectors. Cartier, Rolex, and Bulova are known by most. Breguer, Girard-Perregaux, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and Tissot are not generally familiar. Balfour gives all of the chosen 30 watches, familiar or unfamiliar, equal treatment on the basis of his expertise and enthusiasm for this popular fashion field. Anyone attracted to it will enjoy and learn from the book.

No comments about Warman's Watches Field Guide: Values and Identification (Warman's Field Guides).

4 comments about Watches International: Volume VII (Watches International).

1. This book is a very comprehensive volume of today's finest watch brands and timepieces. There are at least two major brand omissions, including my favorite watch brand, Omega.
   
   There is not a single mention of Omega or Blancpain in the entire book. This leads me to believe that the book is really a pay to play advertising vehicle and these brands either chose not to participate or were intentionally left out. For me, with Omega missing, the book became a disappointment.



2. to be honest the book is filled with wonderful color pictures and descriptions of the watches.this is a good book to have for reference. I do perfer wristwatch annual as they include the prices. but for the money tis is a good book for someone who either collects or appreciates fine watches. a very nice overview



3. How about some new information? And lately, it seems like this collection is nothing more than the same as last year, with a few pages of what's popular this year added in. Where's a comprehensive book?



4. While this book is heavy on pictures (and just heavy), it lacks some interesting brands and it doesn't have prices (even suggest retail helps establish a base line). There are better books on watches on the market but the price is low enough to make it (for me) not all bad.
   
   You can do better - keep clicking !

1 comments about Omega Sports Watches.

1. Wow, what a great book.
   from start to finish it has all the classes of Omega watches, designs and great pitures. Its not the biggest book, but it packs a Big Punch. I recommend 100%.

1 comments about Marking Time: Collecting Watches and Thinking about Time.

1. I'm not really a watch collector or WIS (watch idiot savant as some watch collectors refer to themselves), but I loved this book! Unlike just about every other watch book I've seen, it's _not_ just a catalog of different watch models with short descriptions. It's really well written, with prose worthy of the New Yorker. It does an excellent job of telling the history of watches, with the author's personal anecdotes integrated into the story. If I had the money, I'd enjoy collecting watches, but this book is an enjoyable read in and of itself.

3 comments about Encyclopedia of Antique American Clocks, Second Edition.

1. The Encyclopedia Of Antique American Clocks offers collectors and dealers with a superbly illustrated and comprehensive guide to American clocks. Organized by clock type and category, this authoritative guide offers detailed entry descriptions and current market values, as well as being enhanced with more than 700 photographs including a 16-page color section). The Encyclopedia Of Antique American Clocks is an essential pictorial reference to this specialized category of nostalgic collectibles and includes informative chapters on clock types, the history of clock making, and collectible clocks from the smaller clock makers as well. A glossary, bibliography, photo index, and resources list also contribute to making The Encyclopedia Of Antique American Clocks thoroughly "user friendly" and highly recommended.



2. Brand new, year 2001 encyclopedia for clock enthusiasts. It features 352 pages and more than 700 black and white photos and a special full color section. There's plenty of informative text with data on clock types, clock making, leading clock makers, clock histories, wall and classic clocks, shelf clocks and novelty clocks. The pictures provided are large and sharp, making identification easy. Clock lovers will find this a useful work.



3. compared to the first book, which is a wonderful book, this one was a waste of time -- i wish i had a chance to look at it before i bought it -- i would not have bought it -- j.d.h.

2 comments about Watch and Clock Making and Repairing.

1. I said it in the title.

   If you can get this book- and you are any kind of craftsman- you will love it. I wated a month or so- and it was worth the wait.




2. If you want to make a handmade watch or clock, this book is a Gold mine of information. Covers making watches and clocks from a European perspective using European methods. It seems to me that it leans a little more towards watchmaking than clock making. Old enough to be a good repository of simple old style techniques but still new enough to be easily understood. Loads of clear illustrations on almost every page will leave you thinking "So that's how they did it" time and time again. I am a watch and clock repairman and Of my collection of over 150 Clock and watch books, This is in my top five favorite books.

No comments about The Official Price Guide to Clocks.

5 comments about Wristwatch Annual 2006: The Catalog Of Producers, Prices, Models And Specifications.

1. Do not expect to find quartz electronic watches from the orient here. This is a catalog of the finest in traditional watch design from Europe, primarily Switzerland, Germany and France. Here are watches that are the ultimate in design, both mechanically and artistically. They are also the ultimate in price, intended for the well to do who wants to make a fashion statement that is also a supurb timekeeper. (I don't know the most expensive watch in the book, but the highest priced one I found was $783,100.)
   
   The book is organized by manufacturer and gives the highlights of their current product line. It is profusely illustrated with color photographs on virtually every page. Of course not every watch of every manufacturer could be included on a book of any size. But then again, that's what the web is for.



2. After years of buying the equivalent in French and German, this is definitely the best guide, very complete, very well written. The prices are in US$, though. The most expensive watch, a Vacheron Constantin. 1.6 million dollars, production is limited to 7 watches. The mind boggles!



3. I found the catalog very limited. A review should include all products available from a manufacturer or list variations of products displayed. For example, a watch made of stainless steel is also available and not just white gold.



4. Of course you can't include everything, but these annuals usually have some glaring omissions of watch lines, particularly American made.



5. A wonderful resource book, exhaustive coverage of big and small wristwatch producers. This is a commercial book and all company's are written about favorably (not reality). One is best to research products/reviews online in addition to get a true picture of the products represented in this book. This is the best in my opinion of the watch annual books.
   
   The strengths are: clear listing of all watch specs, often interesting blurb about each company, pronunciation list, company contact info, additional resource list (forums, dealers, etc.). Annual does not change that much yearly, might try buying last years annual and saving about 50% for very similar content.
   
   Enjoy this wonderfully rich subject.