The Masis Collection is one of the most comprehensive privately owned assemblages of pocket watches in the world. Focusing on the watch as a work of art, it encompasses over four hundred years of the watchmaker's, enameller's and goldsmith's craft. This lavishly illustrated book takes the reader not only on a journey through the development of the mechanical watch, but for the first time, shows the artistic progression of watch case decoration in the fashionable styles that walked hand in hand with wider European artistic movements. Beginning with some of the earliest surviving portable timepieces, the Masis Collection includes watches that can be considered among the greatest European miniature works of art to ever be created. The collection is particularly rich in examples of gloriously painted Geneva enamels, particularly those of the Huaud family working in the baroque period. Its strength also lies in the breathtakingly beautiful enamel watches made for export to China and Turkey in the early years of the 19th century. This book aims to inform the reader not only of the richness and diversity of the Masis collection itself but to adequately display some of the watchmaking masterpieces that have enthralled their owners down the centuries.

This historical overview of the various styles of American shelf and wall clocks covers the centuries and gives visual pleasure every step of the way. The original owners of these clocks were interested as much in how they looked as in how they told time, so they are quite attractive and are good examples of the cabinet maker's art. The collector can acquire the majority of these beautiful clocks at relatively fair and modest prices, which makes them popular. Gathered from auction houses, museums, and private collections, over 1250 clocks are illustrated here in this newly revised and expanded second edition. Approximately one-third of the photographs are in color, with the remainder in clear black and white. Each is accompanied by an informative caption that will be great help to the reader. A newly updated value guide will be of invaluable assistance to the collector. In illustrating the early growth of the clock making industry in the United States, Mr. Ball has captured an important part of our history.