The Fascination of Time: Marks, Manufacturers, & Complications of Classic Wristwatches

by Harry Niemann

Overview

History and collecting tips for the world's top thirteen mechanical wristwatch brands.

For the aspiring mechanical watch collector, this casual yet insightful overview is the perfect introduction. The wristwatches presented come from well-known, outstanding Swiss companies, as well as the resurgent German luxury watch industry in Glashütte. Learn everything you need to know about Patek Phillipe, Maurice Lacroix, Blancpain, Tag Heuer, Zenith, A. Lang & Sohne, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and more.

Lose yourself in descriptions and histories of fourteen of the most interesting and precise complications and variations, including the regulator dial and the moon phase display, while avoiding the obscure watchmaking terminology found in other texts. Venture into the International Watch Company Museum, a building equally as stunning as the watches themselves, in Schaffhausen, Switzerland.

More than 100 beautiful photos and lively prose make this compact volume an exciting read. At the end of the tour, receive expert collecting and fashion tips, including suggestions on what outfits to wear with certain timepieces.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780764346859
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.
Publication date:	02/28/2015
Pages:	232
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Journalist and author Harry Niemann has been writing about watches since 1992. He's been the Senior Archivist and Historian at Daimler Benz AG for more than two decades.

Table of Contents

Introduction

What You Should Know about Mechanical Watches 9

History and Museums

The Genius Loci-The Importance of Tradition and the Glashütte Watch Museum 15

History of the Watch-The Patek Philippe Museum 23

Auto Museums and Watches-The Montre Classic Collection 31

The IWC-A Company and Company Museum in Schaffhausen 37

From Alpha to Omega-The Omega Museum 47

Brands

There's Only One at the Top-Patek Philippe, the Watchmaker 57

Maurice Lacroix-The Way to In-House Watchmaking 63

Every Movement Gets a Crown-Rolex, the World's Largest Luxury Watchmaker 67

The Rolex Oyster-The Long Road to an Elegant Sports Watch 79

Watches since 1735-Blancpain, a Great Marketing Story 89

From 1775 to Today-Vacheron Constantin, the Oldest Watch Brand in the World 95

Fascinated by Speed-TAG Heuer, the Racing Driver's Watch 101

Paul Picot-Even a Young Brand Can Make Traditional Watches 105

Now also at the Leading Edge in Marketing Technique-Zenith 109

Chronoswiss and Rüdige Lang-Authentic Feel through the Fascination of Mechanics 113

The Swatch Group-Combined Luxury Brands 119

Wearing Time in Fine Style-A. Lange & Söhne 123

The Fine Craft Workshop in the Müglitztal: How Are A. Lange & Sohne Watches Created? 129

Audemars Piguet-The Mythos of a Great Brand 137

Jaeger-LeCoultre-Fine Workshop and Master of Complications. The Movement Specialist from the Vallée de Joux 143

Complications and Variations

The Pilot's Watch-Not Just for Aircraft Pilots 149

The Regulator-Precision is the Highest Precept 155

The Chronograph-The Sportsman among Watches 159

The Moon Phase-The Moon's Disc on Your Wrist 167

The Calendar-Day and Month on the Dial 173

The Alarm-Even Small Watches Can Ring Out Loud 177

The World Time Watch-Time Zones in GMT And/or UTC 181

The Tourbillon-Watchmaking's French Revolution 185

The Diving Watch-The Only Really Robust Everyday Watch 193

The Big Date-The Date at Center Stage 199

The Grande Complication-Nothing Less than What's Technically Doable 203

The Repeater-Gentle Tones from a Watch 207

The Perpetual Calendar-A Calendar There's No Need to Set 211

The Retrograde Display-Play Instinct with Surprises 217

Vintage Pieces for Your Wrist

Wearing and Collecting Historical Watches 223