I always keep an eye out for watch related reading material. I think reading is good for the soul, and collecting things around watches like watch related books and brand catalogues can be a fun, informative, and significantly less expensive way of enjoying the hobby!
A few months ago, during a chance visit to the boutique (well, with some of the treasures on display, “boutique” seems somewhat inadequate as it felt more like a little museum!) of Charles Frodsham in London, I noticed a book which they had on display which caught my eye. The page was, as you might expect, opened to the Charles Frodsham page, and I read the prose.
That one page was all I needed to read, and I decided I wanted a copy of the book for myself – however as the book hadn’t quite yet been published, and I had to wait a couple more weeks. After taking the opportunity to carefully thumb through a few more pages, I made a note of the title to revisit once the book had been published.
I’m glad that I did; having bought a copy and spent some time enjoying this book properly, I whole-heartedly endorse as it one which every watch enthusiast should own!
500 Years 100 Watches by Alexander Barter and Daryn Schnipper
500 Years 100 Watches by Alexander Barter and Daryn Schnipper
The story of watches and our relationship with time can be traced back hundreds of years – indeed there are several excellent books on that very subject. With 500 Years 100 Watches, Barter and Schnipper have approached this in a slightly different way. Rather than to tell the story as narrative, as the title suggests, they have taken a different tack and carefully chosen 100 watches to serve as milestones during that story, between them spanning half a millennium of timekeeping.
Both Barter and Schnipper have worked in the industry for more than 70 years between them, Barter previously as Deputy Worldwide Head of Sotheby’s watch division, and now watch consultant and author, and Schnipper as Chairman of Sotheby’s International Watch Division and one of the world’s leading watch experts.
Surely there can be few pairs beyond Barter and Schnipper with the required expertise to curate a list of just 100 watches, condensed from five centuries’ worth of pieces?
As you might well imagine, the result of this challenge is a list of 100 very notable pieces, each chosen because it is something worth knowing about – there is nothing included in the book for the sake of it or as some kind of “filler”. Every single piece has a story to tell, may be steeped in intrigue (such as a mysterious small watch encased within a large emerald that was uncovered as part of the 1912 Cheapside Hoard in London), or is something of significant historical importance.
The journey begins in the 16th Century with a small French Renaissance drum clock, stamped I.DE.P, dated to 1525-1550. Whilst the stamp of I.DE.P is not formally known, it is thought it may indicate the De Posey family of Blois in France. The accompanying chapter for this piece offers a page of writing around the piece itself, encompassing both technical detail, description of the physical piece as well as the history behind it, and is complimented by beautiful photography – which includes a life-size photo as well as one of the inner workings of the clock with its case removed.
This sets the standard which is maintained throughout the book; of course as we progress through the centuries, there are references to more pieces as the craft of watchmaking grew and evolved, and significant advancements made, and the list includes work by the likes of Thomas Tompion, John Harrison and the legendary H4 Marine Chronometer, Thomas Mudge, John Arnold, and Abraham-Louis Breguet.
One Breguet pocket watch I especially enjoyed learning about is a four-minute tourbillon pocket watch dated to 1808, which was crafted for King George III during the Napoleonic War.
Barter and Schnipper point out that during this period, under Napoleon’s Continental System, France and its allies were forbidden to trade with England so it is quite surprising that such a watch was even created for the English King by the French watchmaker. There are details which may allude to some trickery afoot to conceal this, however, such as the watch being signed “Recordon” (Breguet’s agent in London) on the dial, with a single and very discreet detail attributing the watch to being made by Breguet being a signature on the tourbillon cage itself.
"Whirling About Regulator" Breguet pocket watch 1297 for King George III
My favourite thing about this watch is that on the dial, rather than being inscribed with “Tourbillon”, or even “Régulateur à Tourbillon”, the dial is actually inscribed with “Whirling about Regulator” – a very literal translation which certainly put a smile on my face!
As the journey continues into the 19th, 20th and 21st Centuries, there are some perhaps more familiar names and watches – such as the Patek Philippe Graves Super Complication, a “Paul Newman” Rolex Daytona, a few entries as you might expect from Dr. George Daniels, and in the 21st Century a limited edition collaboration between Robert Greubel, Stephen Forsey, Philippe Dufour and their collective apprentice Michel Boulanger, something I did not know existed, and even a Urwerk UR-210 Amadeus with a particularly interesting winding efficiency complication.
All things considered, this really is an excellent coffee table and reference book which has been diligently researched and lovingly put together; despite being just over 300 pages in total, it is one which you can pick up and put down as you please. The chapters are very well written with beautiful and detailed accompanying photography, and where a particular entry might warrant a more informative chapter around it, Barter and Schnipper have provided.
Furthermore, they have even added a few pages towards the end where particular watches listed in the book are available to see on public view, ideal for anybody looking to pick their next horologically-inclined adventure!
I think 500 Years 100 Watches is a must-have for any watch enthusiast, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it become a popular “essential read” in the realm of watch literature over the years to come.
Available here (commission earned)
If you have any questions, please get in touch via our Contact page, or via our Instagram.
Don’t forget to check out the Watch Books Page or Amazon Watch Books List for more recommendations!
You might also be interested in:
- Recommended Reading: ‘Hands of Time – A Watchmaker’s History of Time’ by Rebecca Struthers
- Influential Watchmakers: Abraham-Louis Breguet
- “It’s complicated”: the Co-Axial escapement
- Watch Stationery and Gift Ideas
- Watch Books, Watch Boxes and more at the Watch Affinity Shop on Amazon (commissions earned)
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases – thank you for your support
