New books to help you get to grips with fine watchmaking

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New books to help you get to grips with fine watchmaking - Books about watches
2 minutes read
Two recently published books take entirely different approaches to entice the reader into to the wonderful world of mechanical watches.

Two new books about watches that have recently hit the bookshelves are the perfect example of the challenge in making watchmaking appealing and understandable to the general public. The Magic of Watches, by former WorldTempus editor-in-chief Louis Nardin, and The Wristwatch Handbook, by Ryan Schmidt, approach the subject from two completely different angles.

The Wristwatch Handbook is lavishly illustrated with 470 colour photographs and is subdivided into two sections, covering the functioning of a mechanical watch (with an exhaustive look at all the different types of “transmission”) and the numerous complications available on the market. These two sections form the brunt of the book and cover over 300 pages. The level of technical detail is comprehensive, but might be overwhelming to the novice. The 69 Swiss franc (69 euro, £50) price tag might also be off-putting to the non-initiated, but for those with a certain level of watch knowledge who are looking for a comprehensive reference work this could be a great coffee table book and a good Christmas gift.

The Wristwatch Handbook

Louis Nardin takes the opposite approach. The Magic of Watches is pitched at the non-initiated reader and deliberately avoids talking about individual brands (with the exception of a 20 page central section dedicated to iconic watches of the 20th century). Like the “blueprint” form used to present these watches, all other illustrations in the book have been specially commissioned to create a uniform design. While The Wristwatch Handbook is descriptive, The Magic of Watches is more prescriptive, guiding the reader along a predetermined path that starts with a brief introduction to the history of watches, the reasons for buying a watch, care and maintenance and the anatomy of the watch itself.

La Magie des Montres Louis Nardin

I would happily dip into either of these books time and again, but for different reasons. The Wristwatch Handbook allows me to check up on technical details specific to a particular watch or complication, with high-resolution images that can often be extremely helpful in aiding understanding. The Magic of Watches, on the other hand, is more of a reference work along the lines of the Berner Dictionary of Professional Watchmaking. It can stay on the shelf for years, ready to be dipped into as and when required – safe in the knowledge that its contents will, like any good watch, remain timeless.

Both books are available in English and French from specialist watch book retailer watchprint. Click on the links below to order.

The WristWatch Handbook – A comprehensive guide to mechanical watches, by Ryan Schmidt. 352 pages, 470 colour illustrations, format: 24.5 x 29 cm. Price CHF 69 / €69

The Magic of Watches – A smart introduction to fine watchmaking, by Louis Nardin. 224 pages, format: 14 x 21 cm. Price CHF 39.90 / € 39.00

WorldTempus is giving you the opportunity to win “The Magic of Watches” by Louis Nardin. All you have to do is enter the competition we are hosting only today as part of the Advent Calendar Competition. Good luck !