True horologists know that a love of watches doesn’t stop at the wrist. The pursuit of horological knowledge is an unending one; while there’s boundless information available on the internet, there’s nothing like going analogue and opening up an actual physical book. Whether you want to jump into the deep end and learn about dive watches or explore the emotional connection between watches and their wearers, the best tomes balance entertainment with education, delving into the nitty gritty of the watch world, interspersed with interesting anecdotes and beautiful photographs or illustrations to boot. Plus, the best watch books also serve double duty as coffee table décor.
Herewith, the 12 best watch books for every kind of horological aficionado.
1. Watches: A Guide By HODINKEE
If you’ve ever searched for a watch review or horological definition, there’s a good chance you’ve encountered Hodinkee. The New York City-based watch website is one of the leading digital resources for watch lovers, building a strong global community since its launch in 2008. Published in partnership with Assouline, Watches: A Guide By HODINKEE is well-suited to horological nerds and novices alike. Laden with photographs and illustrations, the book covers an impressive breadth of the watch world, with dedicated chapters on the history of watches, to dive watches, travel-time watches, military watches, ladies’ watches, dress watches, chronographs, and iconic watches, with each chapter written by a different Hodinkee editor.
Author: the Editors of Hodinkee
2. Royal Oak: From Iconoclast to Icon
Released early this year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of the world’s most coveted sports watches, Royal Oak: From Iconoclast to Icon explores the history of an undeniable icon. Delving into the history of the watch that elevated steel to the status of gold, this coffee table book approached the Royal Oak’s history from a broader cultural perspective and features satisfyingly rich archival and contemporary imagery.
Author: Bill Prince
3. Fifty Fathoms: The Dive and Watch History 1953-2013
The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2023. Get acquainted with the world’s first modern diving watch in Fifty Fathoms: The Dive and Watch History 1953-2013, which details over half a century of the seminal Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, while exploring the intertwined worlds of horology and diving.
Author: Dietmar W. Fuchs, Jeffrey S. Kingston, Stephan Ciejka
4. The Watch Book: Rolex
An essential in every watch lover’s collection, The Watch Book: Rolex guides readers through key models from one of the most illustrious watch manufacturers in the world. Penned by horological expert Gisbert L. Brunner, the book chronicles the innovative technology and design behind iconic Rolex models. The most recent edition of The Watch Book: Rolex includes the latest models from 2020 and 2021, accompanied by hundreds of full-colour and black-and-white photographs.
Author: Gisbert L. Brunner
5. A Man & His Watch
Rather than labouring over escapements and balance cocks (get your mind out of the gutter, that’s a real horological term), A Man & His Watch focuses on the emotional side of watch collecting. Recognising that movements and market value are secondary to sentimental value, author Matt Hranek interviews notable men from different industries about their favourite watches. From the maître d’ who sports a Timex gifted to him by Bill Murray to Hodinkee founder Benjamin Clymer whose grandfather’s Omega started an empire, every watch has a story. A Man & His Watch beautifully showcases how what a man chooses to wear on his wrist says about him as a person. Each story is accompanied by images by photographer Stephen Lewis, with the personal essays interspersed with tidbits from some of the world’s most lauded watch manufacturers.
Author: Matt Hranek
6. Retro Watches: The Modern Collectors’ Guide
A book for those who know exactly what they like. You won’t find any of the usual suspects in this book. Instead, Retro Watches: The Modern Collectors’ Guide focuses on off-beat watches from the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s, compiling some of the most quirky, funky, and visually striking timepieces produced from lesser known (yet no less important) brands. Highlights include pieces by Bulova, Elgin, Hamilton, and Rado.
Author: Josh Sims and Mitch Greenblatt
7. The Wristwatch Handbook
Penned by mechanical wristwatch enthusiast Ryan Schmidt, The Wristwatch Handbook acts as an encyclopedia on the subject. Leaving no stone unturned, the book provides a thorough breakdown of the inner workings of the watch, with explanations of every conceivable (and some not-so-conceivable) watch functions, from the split-second chronograph and perpetual calendar to the aneroid barometer and multi-axis tourbillon. Each subject is covered in an accessible, easy-to-understand manner and is complemented by large-scale photographs and illustrations of movements and mechanisms.
Author: Ryan Schmidt
8. The Impossible Collection of Watches (2nd Edition)
“The watch—a microcosm of hundreds of minute components interacting harmoniously with each other and bound within a case of precious metal—has the power to awaken emotions, excite the imagination and inspire the same passion as great art.” In this follow-up tome, British historian and journalist Nicholas Foulkes has selected 100 timepieces, chosen by weight of their rarity, costliness, innovative functions, historical importance, grand provenance, and pleasing design. Focusing on timepieces developed from the twentieth century onwards, The Impossible Collection of Watches (2nd Edition) tells the story of one of the most exciting and dynamic periods of human history. From the invention of the airplane to the advent of space exploration and the dawn of the digital age, Foulkes artfully captures the technological advances and social changes of the past century through the exploration of timepieces.
Author: Nicholas Foulkes
9. Watchmaking
George Daniels is widely considered one of the finest horologists in the world and can be credited with developing the co-axial escapement and working on some of the most complex watches ever produced. His memoir Watchmaking is best reserved for those already immersed in the world of horology, offering a step-by-step guide on building a watch from scratch, before delving into details on escapements and complications like tourbillons. Daniels’ wit and writing style prevent Watchmaking from being too dry, with interesting tidbits and insights thrown in.
Author: George Daniels
10. Jaeger-LeCoultre: Reverso
A storied history of one of the world’s most recognisable wristwatches. Conceived during the Art Deco period, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso was created to withstand the demands of a polo match, with its sleek rectangular silhouette embodying the spirit of its time. Over 90 years on, its blank metal flip side — initially a purely functional solution — has become a canvas for creative expression, often adorned with engravings, gemstones, or even another watch face. In Jaeger-LeCoultre: Reverso, Nicholas Foulkes traces the history and evolution of the watch and provides insight into how the cultural and social environment of the time shaped the Reverso’s continued reinvention.
Author: Nicholas Foulkes
11. Independent Watchmakers
Sure you’ve heard of Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Cartier, and Breguet. But what about Andreas Strehler, De Bethune, Kari Voutilainen, Masahiro Kikuno, and Cuervo y Sobrinos? Once you’ve familiarised yourself with the horological giants, the natural next step is to get acquainted with the independents. Here, Australian-based lifestyle blogger Steve Huyton takes a dive into the wide and wildly varied world of independent watchmaking, curating over 60 horological creations from notable artisans.
Author: Steve Huyton
12. The Dial: The Face of the Wristwatch in the 20th Century
One for the vintage watch enthusiasts. Penned by former surgeon turned watch collector Dr. Helmut Crott, this book delves into the history, design elements, and craftsmanship that go into crafting the dial of a fine vintage wristwatch. Laden with large-scale close-up photography, it’s an interesting insight into the influences behind some of the most iconic dials in history.
Author: Dr. Helmut Crott
Enjoyed this article? Check out our Ultimate Guide To Watches here; covering everything from the types of watch movements to watch styles and complications.
Words by AR Staff
