No comments about American Wristwatches: Five Decades of Style and Design.

2 comments about Watches International 2002 (Watches International).

1. This does seem like an overpriced advertisement-only magazine. Not a lot of information for those who are already collectors, and those new to the field will get little more than some nice pictures. But the pictures are very nice, so I'll give it 2 stars.



2. If you are a serious collector then put your money towards another watch. This book shows no/little pricing. In many cases it is a paid advertisement of the watch companies - products and technical descriptions are not shown/listed. You can get more info from a companies website/product catalog. Very disappointing book. It is a slick high glossy collection of photos - you get neither a good coffee table book nor a technical reference. I gave it to the dog to play with - at least someone is enjoying it.

No comments about Clock & Watch Escapements.

No comments about Chronometer Makers of the World.

No comments about Watches: A Selection from the Ashmolean Museum (Ashmolean Handbooks).

5 comments about Watches, Volume 4.

1. Maybe it was entirely my own mistake, but i didn't realize all the previous reviews were from at least year 2000 which is 3 years ago. I guess i was dissapointed upon receiving the book to find that the book was far from comprehensive. I would even say it falls quite far short of it. A lot of models seem to have been left out and more emphasis is placed on special collections or editions of a particular brand then the actual selection of models offered by a particular brand. Being a admirer of Panerai i was dissapointed to find only one page dedicated to this beautiful watch. Many others brands also were given mere mention by 1-2 pages of advertisement and nothing else.

   This book is definitely not for those who are new to watches or just want a book to help them to decide their first important purchase. Really very outdated.... even the section on Rolex seem to me severely limited.

   But possibly i am judging the book based on what i know now which is probably quite a few years ahead of when the book was last published.




2. The book has pale pictures, less information about watch models than many other books.

   one Review above says "Most of the major luxury brands are represented providing companies' background histories"

   Well, this is absolutely UN-TRUE, at least was not true in Volume 4 (Which I bought).

   Not a word about the watch's companies or histories or anything, just bad photos and short descriptions that will give you information no more than that of it's maker advertisement.




3. Being a devoted watch lover, I was really thrilled in receiving "Watches, Volume 4" over the mail. Nevertheless, I was quite disappointed after looking through the content. I can't see or understand why would reviewers rate this book with 5 stars. I felt as if it was put together without much dedication. It seemed to be a scrapbook of wristwatches. The layout and introduction of each brand watch wasn't properly done. Worst of all, the pictures are definetly terrible. Don't know where they obtained the photos but some of them have no resolution at all and are quite blurry (seemed as if they scanned the pictures). Articles were mediocre. Nevertheless, I would definetly recommend Wristwatch Annual 2001 by Peter Braun. It has a better layout, good detail, and excellent photos of the brands introduced. If I were to only have one of them, Annual is far superior than Watches. If I were a teacher I would grade the editor of Annual with an "A" and Watches would at best get a "C" for its hard work.



4. This book takes you in a very clear way through the whole spectrum of watches' brands, giving you a complete idea of what exactly is happening in the world of the ultimate wrist jewel; the watch. Don't miss this one if you want to be really updated in horology.



5. Similar in style and feel to Peter Braun's Wristwatch Annual 1999 and 2000, this book is another example of a reasonably detailed "catalogue" of the ranges of a variety of (mostly) Swiss watch brands. If the potential buyer can, I would recommend buying Braun's book also, as there are sufficient differences to make this worthwhile. Well worth the money!

5 comments about Master Wristwatches (History).

1. I definitely have to agree with the other reviewers. This is a nice compendium of the different watchmakers, it has some good general background of the companies but it only mentions just a few - not all of them.

   The photos are not that impressive, you can get better photos at some websites or watch magazines.

   I recommend this book for a starting watch collector to get general information. If you want more in-depth knowledge look for other publications. ...




2. This is a beutifully produced book, and a usefull title to have laying on your coffee tabel if you want to impress your friends about your "sophictication" and discreetly introduce them to the subject that you collect expensive contemporary wristwatches.

   It was obviously written with the support of the manufacturers of these geourgeous mechanisms and for much of its course quotes verbatim from their official corporate histories and utilisis the imagery of their advertising a PR departments.

   It is however not the book to turn to for factual and objective -including critical- information about specific models
   or makers or to learn more about the technology and history of watches.

   Fortunat Mueller-Maerki
   Chairman of the National Watch and Clock Library
   




3. If you've read one Caroline Childers' watch book, you seem to have read them all! This book looks good, has quality paper, decent photography ... but one can't help wondering how the material gets chosen for inclusion! It is not a thorough or complete reference work, nor is it suitable for enthusiasts; however, it may well serve as a beginner's introduction or something to put your coffee on instead of marking the table! Come on Caroline, give us something new, with pictures which follow the text throughout the entire book, coupled to some in-depth research on the manufactures, the watchmakers, the designers, the engineers and the actual calibres, and less waffle about the jewellery aspects - if we want that, we'll buy your other books! And talking of 'waffle' - enlightened though some of it is - if we want it then we can always order the brochures; they're free! Ah, something has just clicked into place ... I thought I'd seen the pictures before. At least it's not one of Patek Phillipe's extortionately priced photographic albums! Check out George Daniels' books for a thorough review of watchmaking or possibly Peter Braun's for a latest review of what's on general release. And A. Lange & Söhne's literature is first-rate!



4. This book has nice pictures, but lacks substantive information. I was disappointed by its lack of coverage of any details of the underlying watch movement. I was also surprized by it selection of brands. For example, Movado was included, but Vascheron and JLC were not.



5. I would recommend Master Wristwatches for anyone who has an interest in the history of watchmaking, collecting precision timepieces or just looking at beautiful examples of the world's finest watchmakers' craftmenship. With wonderful pictures and illustrations, Master Wristwatches is on of the best tools for novices and collectors alike to learn more about not only the craft of watchmaking but also the great houses that produce the world's finest watches. There are few text on watches that combine such an enjoyable easy to read format with an in depth examination of the subject matter.

No comments about British Longcase Clocks.

No comments about Wristwatch Annual 2009: The Catalog of Producers, Prices, Models, and Specifications.

No comments about The Classic Watch: The Great Watches and Their Makers from the First Wristwatch to the Present Day.