100 Iconic Watches

This handbook is a must-have for collectors and anyone who has ever wished they could stop time.

“I’ve paged through stacks of books on the history of watches. . . . But I hadn’t come across a book that actually moved me until I picked up A Man and His Watch. The volume is filled with heartfelt stories.” —T: The New York Times Style Magazine "There are a bunch of beautifully illustrated watch books out there, but A Man & His Watch by Matt Hranek is more than that. It speaks to the nature of watches as deeply personal items." —Gear Patrol, Coffee Table Books Our Staff Can’t Live Without Paul Newman wore his Rolex Daytona every single day for 35 years until his death in 2008. The iconic timepiece, probably the single most sought-after watch in the world, is now in the possession of his daughter Clea, who wears it every day in his memory. Franklin Roosevelt wore an elegant gold Tiffany watch, gifted to him by a friend on his birthday, to the famous Yalta Conference where he shook the hands of Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill. JFK’s Omega worn to his presidential inauguration, Ralph Lauren’s watch purchased from Andy Warhol’s personal collection, Sir Edmund Hillary’s Rolex worn during the first-ever summit of Mt. Everest . . . these and many more compose the stories of the world’s most coveted watches captured in A Man and His Watch. Matthew Hranek, a watch collector and NYC men’s style fixture, has traveled the world conducting firsthand interviews and diving into exclusive collections to gather the never-before-told stories of 76 watches, completed with stunning original photography of every single piece. Through these intimate accounts and Hranek’s storytelling, the watches become more than just timepieces and status symbols; they represent historical moments, pioneering achievements, heirlooms, family mementos, gifts of affection, and lifelong friendships.

The Patek Philippe Nautilus which is a very famous watch was designed by Gerad Genta in just 5 minutes. Graff Diamonds made the most expensive watch in the world which costs $55 Million. The Rolex Submariner broke the record for being the first wristwatch that was waterproof at a depth of 100 metres. The Jaeger-Lecoultre Reverso was the result of a challenge by a polo player after he kept breaking his watch while playing Cartier Santos was released in the Year 1904 and has remained a highly sought after watch even after a century. In this book we look at 51 of the most Iconic watches that have changed the landscape of timekeeping in terms of innovation and design, These watches have not just impacted our lives but have also played a major role in the World's history as it was responsible for many decisions whether it was during wars or in times when accurate timekeeping was needed.

From the watch that flew to the moon (Omega Speedmaster), to the smallest caliber with the dimensions of 14 x 4.8 x 3.4 millimeters (Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 101), that Elizabeth II. wore as a bracelet watch on her coronation day and the watch model that has been in continuous production for over 100 years (Cartier Tank). Watch expert Gisbert L. Brunner presents 100 extraordinary watch models and explains their history and uniqueness.

Telling time has never been so stylish. 100 Years of Vintage Watches brings an entire century of classic watch craftsmanship to life with over 1,000 full-color photos. Detailing watches made between 1870 and 1970—the most popular century for watch collectors and aficionados—Dean Judy’s remarkable guide provides information on what and how to collect as well as what to avoid. In addition to large, detailed photos, 100 Years of Vintage Watches offers accurate pricing information, and a description, history, and dating for each of the watches included. Watch collectors will find the before-and-after photos of vintage watch restorations particularly useful, especially when it comes valuing a piece. And who knows, maybe that old watch your grandfather left in his junk drawer is worth thousands. Featuring examples from over 50 watchmakers including renowned Swiss companies like Agassiz, Rolex, Breitling, Cyma, Tissot, and Zodiak as well as American companies like Bulova, Elgin, Hamilton, and Illinois, 100 Years of Vintage Watches is a comprehensive and practical guide to the greatest century of watchmaking in modern history.

More than a fashion accessory or means to tell the time, the wristwatch has become a statement of identity; politician or celebrity, scientist or sportsman, what you choose to wear on your wrist speaks volumes about who you are. The World's Most Expensive Watches presents some of the most extravagant, intricate, collectible, decadent, or just plain interesting modern-day timepieces that sit at the top of the price spectrum. Starting at a threshold price of about $200,000, it is a trip through the last decade or so of watches whose values soar incredibly to prices of $5 million dollars or more. Additionally, there is a selection of notable watches that yielded extremely high prices at auction - many of which are historically relevant. A stunning collection that is both informative and entertaining; with detailed descriptions of individual watches and articles that usefully deconstruct the price tag with an explanation of the relevance of craftsmanship and complexity of design, as well as the importance of exclusivity, prestige and collectibility. Prepare to be impressed by a larger-than-life-look at some relatively small items that command not only huge prices but kudos and respect, in all areas of a global society fascinated with using accessorizing to create identity.

A long-awaited reprint of an important illustrated reference work on the general history of the watch from 1500 to 1980. When Watches was first published in 1965 it quickly gained for itself a reputation as the foremost general history of the subject and, following the expanded edition in 1979 which covered recent years past 1830, this has remained unchallenged in horological history. In this long-awaited reprinted edition, collectors and horological students can again make use of 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, through 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 encompasses 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 colour and mono illustrations to clarify the details. For a truly comprehensive understanding of escapements, photographs of these have been included alongside a critical approach to this essential mechanism. Since its first publication, Watches has provided an essential work of reference and history behind some of the most renowned minds and creations. Now reprinted for a new generation of collectors and students, and featuring over 600 illustrations, the technical and decorative elements of historical watches can be studied and enjoyed once more.

Over a short ten-year time-span, Hodinkee has positioned itself as the preeminent and most distinguished destination for modern and vintage wristwatch enthusiasts. Exiting a career in finance, Ben Clymer decided to fuse his horological and writing passions in order to start a blog discussing everything from new products to vintage wristwatch auctions. Titling his endeavor after the Czech word hodinky, which means ‘little watch,’ Clymer sought to create a platform that was casual and accessible to all levels of enthusiasts—within a few years The New York Times dubbed him the “High Priest of Horology.”

In this stunning new addition to the Assouline series, British historian Nicholas Foulkes has selected the 100 breakthrough timepieces of the twentieth century. Featuring illustrious names such as Audemars Piguet, Blancpain, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Patek Philippe, Rolex, and Tag Heuer, this collection includes the 1915 Omega Lawrence of Arabia aviator chronograph, the 1962 Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaut, and the 1985 Ulysse Nardin Astrolabium. Beautiful timepieces invite us to join a story, and these examples unfold the narrative of one of the most dynamic periods in human history.