Collector Watches, XL Two-Volume Edition

Why it works as a gift

For someone who follows watches closely, the hardest gift is another watch: they know exactly what they want, and it usually costs far more. This book lets them enjoy the hundred they don't own. Charlotte and Peter Fiell selected 100 grail wristwatches and tell the design and development story behind each, from Longines, Patek Philippe, Rolex, Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin to independent makers such as George Daniels, Roger W. Smith, Philippe Dufour, F.P. Journe, Kari Voutilainen and Rexhep Rexhepi.

TASCHEN fills it with photography by leading watch photographers and archival material: design sketches, technical drawings, period advertisements and photographs. There are interviews with collectors and figures from the watch world, including Ben Clymer, Alexandre Ghotbi, Roger W. Smith and Auro Montanari, and a historical overview of luxury watchmaking from the pocket-watch era onward. It comes as two hardcover volumes in a slipcase, 960 pages in all, in English.

The format is the point and the catch. At 11.1 by 14.2 inches and about 23.7 pounds, it is a coffee-table object that announces itself, which is exactly what makes it feel generous when unwrapped. It also means it needs a home. Against a smaller watch book at a lower price, this is the definitive, display-worthy version; against a watch accessory, it adds knowledge rather than another object to wear.

Who it’s for

• A collector who reads watch blogs, follows auctions and already owns the piece they saved for
• A father or partner who loves vintage chronographs and can name the references
• A new watch owner celebrating a first serious purchase, who wants to learn the history behind it
• A client or host with a well-kept living room and a known interest in watches

Skip it if

• There's no coffee table or sturdy shelf for it; the set weighs about 24 pounds
• Their interest in watches is casual; the depth here is for enthusiasts
• They live in a small apartment and dislike large objects on display
• They prefer reading on a tablet; this is very much a print object

Giving it

• Order early and plan delivery; at nearly 24 pounds it is heavy to carry or reship
• Present it in its slipcase; it doesn't need extra wrapping beyond a ribbon
• Pair it with a watch accessory, such as Tateossian skeleton cufflinks, for a fuller gift
• This listing is sold by Amazon.com; check the return window in case it arrives damaged

The facts

Full title

Ultimate Collector Watches (XL edition)

Authors

Charlotte and Peter Fiell

Format

XL edition; two hardcover volumes in a slipcase; English

Pages

960

Size and weight

28.1 x 36 cm (11.1 x 14.2 in); 10.75 kg (23.70 lb)

Contents

100 wristwatches with backstories; photography, sketches, technical drawings, period ads; interviews with collectors

ISBN

978-3-8365-9005-1

Consider instead

• Tissot PRX Powermatic 80, Ice Blue Dial — For someone who would rather wear a Swiss automatic than read about one
• Tateossian Tonneau Skeleton Cufflinks — A wearable watch-lover's gift for someone who wears French cuffs
• Lamy 2000 Fountain Pen, Matte Black — A smaller design classic for the same kind of collector, used every day rather than kept on a shelf