Discover the stylistic evolution of the wristwatch in this unparalleled guide to the great watches of the twentieth century. Offering the perfect blend of high-quality imagery and impeccable research, this magnificent book takes readers through the twentieth century to show how the watch, in all its forms, evolved. It charts the early rise of the wristwatch, shows how the cataclysmic events of the 1929 Wall Street Crash unexpectedly led to a golden age of watch production, and demonstrates how the electronic watch, which almost destroyed the traditional industry, led to a mechanical watch renaissance in the last two decades of the 20th century. Each decade opens with an introduction to the era's stylistic and design highlights and then examines the development of specific genres of watches within each period. Hundreds of color photographs in this book feature full page close ups that reveal intricate details of form, texture, and design. Author Alexander Barter's vast knowledge of the 20th century watch informs his texts which discuss the major technological and design breakthroughs in a chronological format. This book also includes vintage advertisements and other promotional materials, helping to give a sense of the eras in which they were created. It explores the watch as a museum-worthy art object - festooned in fine jewels or designed to the limits of abstraction - and as an important tool for scientists, navigators, astronauts, and athletes.

The perfect gift for watch aficionados, this beautiful and informative volume presents the world's finest watches with an elegance and depth befitting its subject.