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reference books on watches

post #1 of 15
9/3/07 at 10:12pm
Thread Starter 
Is there a book that covers the various important movements, manufacturers, watch designs, etc.? I know it's all on Tz in one form or another, but I'd like an organized book that I can flip through away from the computer. I'm particularly interested in Vacheron and Patek, but also JLC and to a less extent some of the vintage and less gawdy rolexes. It would be nice to have pictures of the dials as well.
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post #2 of 15
9/3/07 at 10:16pm
There is probably a book for this, but unless you are looking at spending 50k+, the movements of Patek, VC and JLC are all going to be about the same quality. Frankly, all movements used by all three will always be terrific. From these three buy on looks, or in the case of JLC, on value. My rule of thumb with Rolex is if it isn't a bubbleback, stay far away. They are just not good looking watches to my eye, among other issues that are always brought up. IMO, you are better off with a simple watch. Big, complicated watches say tool to me, unless you are wearing a chronograph very casually.
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post #3 of 15
9/3/07 at 10:22pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by iammatt View Post
There is probably a book for this, but unless you are looking at spending 50k+, the movements of Patek, VC and JLC are all going to be about the same quality. Frankly, all movements used by all three will always be terrific. From these three buy on looks, or in the case of JLC, on value.

My rule of thumb with Rolex is if it isn't a bubbleback, stay far away. They are just not good looking watches to my eye, among other issues that are always brought up.

IMO, you are better off with a simple watch. Big, complicated watches say tool to me, unless you are wearing a chronograph very casually.

I agree. Plus I can't afford big complicated watches! Actually, I'm more concerned with learnign to spot redials and such that aren't the original design as i've been reading it's a big problem. And I'd generally like to become more educated on what's going on under the hood since my fascination with the mechanical aspect is a big part fo the reason i'm looking at these watches. It kinda fits in why my telescope fetish.
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post #4 of 15
9/3/07 at 10:25pm
Here is a Patek Phillipe reference book, by the noted author, Osvaldo Patrizzi. It costs $400 for two volumes. Here is another one, Patek Philippe Geneve - Wristwatches, which is about $470. Like the watches, their books are rather costly as well. This is a Vacheron Constantin book, which costs about $200:
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post #5 of 15
9/3/07 at 10:31pm
Thread Starter 
Do you own them, LK? What sort of content do they have?
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post #6 of 15
9/3/07 at 10:32pm
The authority on watch pricing is Shugart and Gilbert's Complete Price Guide to Watches:

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post #7 of 15
9/3/07 at 10:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GQgeek View Post
Do you own them, LK? What sort of content do they have?

I own some of them and they're very nice for pictures. They also have some historical information.

I'd also suggest getting Antiquorum catalogs which are far cheaper but contains lots of nice pictures. Not much historical information as reference texts, but basic enough.
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post #8 of 15
9/3/07 at 10:42pm
I also have this large book which covers numerous famous brands and some of the movements:
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post #9 of 15
9/3/07 at 11:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by iammatt View Post
My rule of thumb with Rolex is if it isn't a bubbleback, stay far away. They are just not good looking watches to my eye, among other issues that are always brought up.
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post #10 of 15
9/3/07 at 11:28pm
A good overview book is The Watch. Very good reading and very objective look at all the major brands.

I don't want to rehash the Rolex debates here but I believe that their sports watches are still a category leader in terms of durability and accuracy. It's a personal preference thing at the end of the day. I think Matt does not like 80s bling connotation of Rolex and I mostly agree with that, especially on some models. That said my next watch will likely be a Rolex Sea Dweller.
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post #11 of 15
9/3/07 at 11:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by iammatt View Post
There is probably a book for this, but unless you are looking at spending 50k+, the movements of Patek, VC and JLC are all going to be about the same quality. Frankly, all movements used by all three will always be terrific. From these three buy on looks, or in the case of JLC, on value.

My rule of thumb with Rolex is if it isn't a bubbleback, stay far away. They are just not good looking watches to my eye, among other issues that are always brought up.

IMO, you are better off with a simple watch. Big, complicated watches say tool to me, unless you are wearing a chronograph very casually.

I agree, though a minor quibble might be that some of the '50s Rolex Oysters look nice on a leather strap:

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post #12 of 15
9/3/07 at 11:31pm
Quote:
I'm particularly interested in Vacheron and Patek, but also JLC and to a less extent some of the vintage and less gawdy rolexes.

For good books on Rolex, I would recommend The Rolex Report by Jon Brozek and The Best of Time by James Dowling. I've met Jon but not yet met Mr. Dowling who is arguably the foremost collector of vintage Rolex.
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post #13 of 15
9/3/07 at 11:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Artisan Fan View Post
For good books on Rolex, I would recommend The Rolex Report by Jon Brozek and The Best of Time by James Dowling. I've met Jon but not yet met Mr. Dowling who is arguably the foremost collector of vintage Rolex.

Also Osvaldo Patrizzi's book is very good:

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post #14 of 15
9/4/07 at 4:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by LabelKing View Post
The authority on watch pricing is Shugart and Gilbert's Complete Price Guide to Watches:
That's exactly the one I've got. Very informative, but not much good as watch porn:
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post #15 of 15
9/5/07 at 4:45pm

I think manufacturers pay for inclusion in this book, and much of what is inside reads like glossy ad copy. Nevertheless, a good resource for recent models and movements.
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