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Books > Arts & Architecture > Antiques & collectables
"...a beautiful book, filled with captivating images and
explanatory text which never gets too dry or too technical..." -
Revolution Despite the functional obsolescence of the mechanical
wristwatch (our phones and computers tell more accurate time) the
early 21st Century has seen a boom in the development, production,
and appreciation of all things horological. Whether it is presented
to the collector as an alternative investment, as a feat of
micro-mechanical technology, or as a showcase of artisanal mastery,
the mechanical wristwatch has never possessed more forms, functions
or facets than it does today. The Wristwatch Handbook is written
from the epicentre of a renaissance, a place in time between the
Quartz revolution and the rise of the smart device - where the
mechanical wristwatch is the antidote to the microprocessor and the
permanent buzz of your inbox. From the multi-axis tourbillion, to
the split-second chronograph, to the sidereal sky chart, The
Wristwatch Handbook covers it all and does so with more than 470
rich illustrations from over 90 of the World's leading brands. The
book is separated into two sections. The first section provides the
reader with a comprehensive understanding of the mechanical
movement. Its chapters explore power, transmission, distribution
and regulation illustrating the basic concepts before considering
the innovation and complexity that takes place further toward the
cutting edge. From the fifty-day power reserve, to the constant
force mechanism, and the 1,000Hz mechanical escapement, section 1
will allow the reader to understand and appreciate what is
happening beneath the dial of their watch. Section two allows the
reader to take this understanding and apply it to the vast range of
complications (functions) that exist in modern horology. Each
chapter showcases a distinct category of complication. For example,
the regatta timer, pulsometer, and monopusher chronograph join a
host of others in a chapter entitled 'Recording Lapses of Time';
The power reserve indicator, dynamograph, and crown position
indicator are featured in a chapter for 'Power and Performance
Indication'; The moon phase indicator, annual calendar, and
planetarium can be found in the 'Astronomical Complications'
chapter. Once the functional categories are exhausted, the final
three chapters explore whimsical complications that have little
regard for practical function, novelty time indication, and the
'super-complicated' watch - a rare breed of timepiece that houses
an intimidating host of complications featured throughout the book.
Upon completion of The Wristwatch Handbook the reader will be able
to identify even the most exotic complication from across the room,
and be able to share their appreciation and understanding of what
makes it so useful and compelling. The Wristwatch Handbook is
"brand agnostic", using only those watches that most aptly
illustrate the given subject-matter. As a consequence the book
places equal emphasis on the classic and the cutting edge, on
watches produced in large volume or exclusive runs, by
industry-leading technology or at the hand of a master. In doing so
the book provides an unparalleled range of watches from over 90
brands, allowing the reader to determine for themselves which
brands, complications, and styles they will build their collection
from.
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