Christmas Book Recommendation: ‘The Wristwatch Handbook'

**WatchIng** · 29th October 2016, 15:10

Having seen a review on QuillAndPad ( http://quillandpad.com/2016/10/25/bo...-ryan-schmidt/ ), I bought a copy as an impulse buy (cheaper than another watch!). I can honestly say that this is a great resource (as well as a great coffee-table book, with loads of fantastic illustrations), especially if you want a good account of how the various parts of a watch work and how they work together (including an account for most complications!). I bought it on Amazon from one of their co-vendors at under £35 (the RRP in the UK is £50), but hints to friends or relatives, given the approach of Christmas, might yield results! Some of you may have come across the author (as iamcalledryan) on various blogs and he also contributes to QuillAndPad (which could have given the Q&P reviewer, Elizabeth Doerr, a somewhat biased view - though, in this case, I think that is not so).

p.s. There is also a website for the book which tells you rather more ( http://thewristwatchhandbook.com/welcome/ ) - on which note I should probably add that I have no connection (other than the occasional blog exchange) with the author!

**rasputin** · 29th October 2016, 15:36

Looks really good. Thanks for the heads up.

**Damo** · 29th October 2016, 15:37

Thanks for the headsup, added to my wishlist, now all I need to do is drop a hint or ten!

**Cooper85** · 29th October 2016, 15:50

I've been reviewing watch related books to buy online for a while but couldn't find anything that looked worthwhile purchasing and were a reasonable price.

However, this looks great and I will be adding it to the Xmas list, so the wife will be happy! (If I can wait that long).

**japester** · 29th October 2016, 16:13

Cheers, ordered!

**Iamcalledryan** · 30th October 2016, 13:37

Hi chaps!

First, I want to say thank you to WatchIng for pulling all of that info together so succinctly!

Second, for those that have already purchased the book, I am excited to hear your thoughts on it and I hope you enjoy it!

Third, if anyone has any questions about the book go ahead and ask and I will get back to you.

Finally (!), I was an infrequent lurker here some years ago, but this is my first post and my first stop in a long time. I look forward to pitching in!

R

**japester** · 30th October 2016, 13:55

Hi Ryan, being recently bitten by the watch bug I'm learning all the time and really looking forward to reading your book!

**paskinner** · 30th October 2016, 14:44

I am going to ask for that for Christmas; my partner has got into watches a bit, so she will enjoy the pictures....probably not the techie bits. I have learnt from her that there are very different ways of assessing watches. For some, the technical bit can be irrelevant. These sort of books stand or fall by their physical attractiveness. Bit like watches themselves for many consumers.
Anyway, I look forward to a good read.
Actually, I am too impatient, so I have jut ordered It on Amazon. Thsnks for the heads up. Nb: maybe a later edition could have a chapter on the key Quartz developments.p

**ywl23n** · 30th October 2016, 15:50

Amazon has it at an offer price of £32.50 currently

**Iamcalledryan** · 30th October 2016, 16:08

Originally Posted by japester

Hi Ryan, being recently bitten by the watch bug I'm learning all the time and really looking forward to reading your book!

Thanks Japester - by the time you make your way through the book I guarantee you will be upgrading your status to fully fledged enthusiast!

**Iamcalledryan** · 30th October 2016, 16:18

Originally Posted by paskinner

I am going to ask for that for Christmas; my partner has got into watches a bit, so she will enjoy the pictures....probably not the techie bits. I have learnt from her that there are very different ways of assessing watches. For some, the technical bit can be irrelevant. These sort of books stand or fall by their physical attractiveness. Bit like watches themselves for many consumers.
Anyway, I look forward to a good read.
Actually, I am too impatient, so I have jut ordered It on Amazon. Thsnks for the heads up. Nb: maybe a later edition could have a chapter on the key Quartz developments.p

lol I love how your impulse took over before you had even finished writing!

You're absolutely right (your partner too) that there are different ways to assess the quality of a watch. My personal tastes run the gamut, from a well-cased interesting design that houses a generic workhorse movement, to leading edge innovation, to the purest of handmade craftsmanship - and the watches in the book reflect that range for sure!

Re Quartz, I do actually take the time to explain the principles of the Quartz movement at the end of Section 1, and I talk about some of the more interesting Quartz and hybrid movements from the tuning fork to the spring drive etc. I think there are some remarkable Quartz or hybrid movements out there despite many mech enthusiasts' aversion to them.

**wadebridge59** · 31st October 2016, 05:26

Ordered. Thanks for info.

**krusty** · 31st October 2016, 07:27

Oh! Go on then!

I'll order one today.

K.

**Topcat30093** · 31st October 2016, 08:34

Originally Posted by ywl23n

Amazon has it at an offer price of £32.50 currently

Placed it into my basket, though it did delivery could be 1-3 weeks.

Thanks to the OP for the heads and the link to another web source for watches :))

**WatchIng** · 31st October 2016, 09:53

Originally Posted by Topcat30093

Placed it into my basket, though it did delivery could be 1-3 weeks.

Thanks to the OP for the heads and the link to another web source for watches :))

My pleasure - always satisfying to share one's finds, and, the more I read of this one, the more pleased I am that I bought it. I don't think anyone who tries it will be disappointed!

**andrewcregan** · 31st October 2016, 09:54

Ordered from Books etc

http://www.booksetc.co.uk/books/view/-9781851498291

£28.36

**japester** · 31st October 2016, 10:54

Originally Posted by andrewcregan

Ordered from Books etc

http://www.booksetc.co.uk/books/view/-9781851498291

£28.36

Thanks for that! Cancelled my Amazon order, got it cheaper and it's coming sooner!

**andrewcregan** · 31st October 2016, 11:15

Originally Posted by japester

Thanks for that! Cancelled my Amazon order, got it cheaper and it's coming sooner!

Excellent. Good to help a fellow TZer.

Books etc quote dispatch in 1-3 days.

**Topcat30093** · 31st October 2016, 11:24

^^^^
Excellent thanks for the information. Will do the same

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Iamcalledryan** · 31st October 2016, 12:35

Happy reading gents!

Re Booksetc, perhaps people could share/confirm their experiences wth them because they are not an authorized distributor and do not have valid details of the book on the website. Want to make sure it's actually my book you are getting!!

**japester** · 31st October 2016, 12:53

Originally Posted by Iamcalledryan

Happy reading gents!

Re Booksetc, perhaps people could share/confirm their experiences wth them because they are not an authorized distributor and do not have valid details of the book on the website. Want to make sure it's actually my book you are getting!!

Yikes!

What should i look out for?

JP

**charliehowards** · 31st October 2016, 12:54

thanks for the heads up, looks right up my street

**PickleB** · 31st October 2016, 13:10

Originally Posted by andrewcregan

Ordered from Books etc

http://www.booksetc.co.uk/books/view/-9781851498291

£28.36

Ditto, thanks for the pointer...and thanks to the OP for the heads up.

I'm particularly interested to find out what the author means by "Lapses of Time" (Section 2.1 and listing in the index...as shown on Amazon's Look inside).

**Iamcalledryan** · 31st October 2016, 13:34

Originally Posted by japester

Yikes!

What should i look out for?

JP

You will know that the book is the book by comparing it to the details on my website (www.thewristwatchhandbook.com) or on Amazon. Aside from that, I want to make sure that the book comes plastic wrapped and in brand-new condition - no dings and scratches etc. Delivery timings will also be worth reporting. Some of these websites make speculative offers of discounts without actually holding stock, then when they accumulate enough buys they try to leverage that discount from the source. If for example they do not take enough orders to leverage the discount, they will just cancel on you.

R

**Iamcalledryan** · 31st October 2016, 13:39

Originally Posted by PickleB

Ditto, thanks for the pointer...and thanks to the OP for the heads up.

I'm particularly interested to find out what the author means by "Lapses of Time" (Section 2.1 and listing in the index...as shown on Amazon's Look inside).

Hello Mr B,

Lapses of time is essentially a home for the full family of chronograph complications - so Tachy/Telemetre/Pulsometer/Asthmometer scales, flyback, rattrapante, regatta, specialized timers, foudroyante, high precision etc. It also contains some details about column wheel and cam actuation, monopushers, vertical and horizontal clutch, and dial layout. It's a good'n!

R

**Montello** · 31st October 2016, 13:48

The author must have big hands!

**Kingstepper** · 31st October 2016, 13:53

Originally Posted by Iamcalledryan

You will know that the book is the book by comparing it to the details on my website (www.thewristwatchhandbook.com) or on Amazon. Aside from that, I want to make sure that the book comes plastic wrapped and in brand-new condition - no dings and scratches etc. Delivery timings will also be worth reporting. Some of these websites make speculative offers of discounts without actually holding stock, then when they accumulate enough buys they try to leverage that discount from the source. If for example they do not take enough orders to leverage the discount, they will just cancel on you.

R

Good to hear it comes plastic wrapped!

Not too happy with Amazon's book packing TBH and seldom does a book arrive pristine w/o a bent corner, crushed spine or something similar. Not helped by often just being shoved through the letterbox onto a hard floor.

**Iamcalledryan** · 31st October 2016, 13:58

Originally Posted by Montello

The author must have big hands!

LOL I am honestly surprised that you are the first person I have seen mention this! As I was writing the book and it became clear that the book was going to be so big and heavy, I considered revising the title. However, I decided that a handbook does not have to be literal, instead it can simply be a reference work. I really liked the title because you have the repetition and flow of 'wrist' and 'hand' with 'watch' and 'book'.

**PickleB** · 31st October 2016, 14:39

Originally Posted by Iamcalledryan

Happy reading gents!

Re Booksetc, perhaps people could share/confirm their experiences wth them because they are not an authorized distributor and do not have valid details of the book on the website. Want to make sure it's actually my book you are getting!!

Hello Ryan and welcome to the forum...in an active role.

I'm not sure what you mean by "valid details". This is what Booksetc are showing:

For some reason they have edited the picture of the cover to have a white, rather than black, background, but is not the rest of their info correct?

What I hadn't remembered is that BOOKS etc was the online siter for Borders a firm that went into administration back in 2010. Wiki reports that the name was "bought by The Capital Organisation" and that firm appears to be a bit suspect. The business seems to have passed to Books Etc Limited, the latest name for another Capital company. It seems that they may be a form of grey market book seller. We'll have to see how I, and others on here, get on with them.

I'll report back on this thread...

Originally Posted by Iamcalledryan

Hello Mr B,

Lapses of time is essentially a home for the full family of chronograph complications - so Tachy/Telemetre/Pulsometer/Asthmometer scales, flyback, rattrapante, regatta, specialized timers, foudroyante, high precision etc. It also contains some details about column wheel and cam actuation, monopushers, vertical and horizontal clutch, and dial layout. It's a good'n!

R

Thanks for that...I'm looking forward to getting a copy to read.

**Iamcalledryan** · 31st October 2016, 15:04

Hi PickleB,

Thanks for the welcome! Re Booksetc, the vitals seem right but that is not my cover; not even a white background version. I am meeting with my publisher this week and will run it by them to see what is going on.

I remember Borders! Perhaps these guys are more legit than some of the others, but I guess you guys will be the judge of that!

R

**PickleB** · 31st October 2016, 15:18

Originally Posted by Iamcalledryan

Hi PickleB,

Thanks for the welcome! Re Booksetc, the vitals seem right but that is not my cover; not even a white background version. I am meeting with my publisher this week and will run it by them to see what is going on.

I remember Borders! Perhaps these guys are more legit than some of the others, but I guess you guys will be the judge of that!

R

I see what you mean about the cover picture. I've only just found About US page for BOOKS etc, they are upfront about their history:

BOOKS etc is an UK online business that is based in Fleet, Hampshire. We are a family run company that aims to bring customers a fantastic selection of books with great prices, fast delivery and friendly helpful customer service.

We work closely with publishers to highlight both the latest titles and older books that you may have missed first time around.

BOOKS etc Ltd launched in 2010 when we bought the BOOKS etc and the Borders UK database out of administration and we've been going strong ever since!

...

BOOKS ETC Ltd is registered in England and Wales and has the company number 6687355. Registered address: BOOKSetc, 8 Kings Road, Fleet, Hampshire, GU51 3AD.

**andrewcregan** · 31st October 2016, 17:49

I have bought top end hardback books from Books Etc previously, and always received exactly what I ordered. It appears that they sell a lot through Amazon too.

**WatchIng** · 31st October 2016, 20:05

Originally Posted by Kingstepper

Good to hear it comes plastic wrapped!

Not too happy with Amazon's book packing TBH and seldom does a book arrive pristine w/o a bent corner, crushed spine or something similar. Not helped by often just being shoved through the letterbox onto a hard floor.

Mine arrived (in 3 days) from an Amazon co-vendor; plastic-wrapped and essentially in perfect condition.

**Iamcalledryan** · 31st October 2016, 20:26

Originally Posted by andrewcregan

I have bought top end hardback books from Books Etc previously, and always received exactly what I ordered. It appears that they sell a lot through Amazon too.

Then I say go for it and I hope you enjoy the book!

**Plug** · 31st October 2016, 20:47

Well I've mentioned it to the Mrs. and emailed her a link! One christmas present ticked off..

Cheers,

Plug

**Iamcalledryan** · 31st October 2016, 21:06

Hi guys,

I have confirmed with my publisher that BooksEtc are a full-blown partner of ours and despite the wrong image of the cover on the site, it's a fully legit way to buy and enjoy the book at a great price.

Merry Horological Christmas!

**andrewcregan** · 31st October 2016, 21:07

Originally Posted by Iamcalledryan

Hi guys,

I have confirmed with my publisher that BooksEtc are a full-blown partner of ours and despite the wrong image of the cover on the site, it's a fully legit way to buy and enjoy the book at a great price.

Merry Horological Christmas!

Fantastic news

Cheers Ryan.

**andrewcregan** · 3rd November 2016, 14:58

Originally Posted by andrewcregan

Ordered from Books etc

http://www.booksetc.co.uk/books/view/-9781851498291

£28.36

Dispatched today, so should arrive soon

**Mainspring** · 3rd November 2016, 15:14

Thanks for confirming this Ryan - have copied another poster and emailed a link to Mother Christmas!

**magirus** · 3rd November 2016, 20:06

Originally Posted by Iamcalledryan

Hi guys,

I have confirmed with my publisher that BooksEtc are a full-blown partner of ours and despite the wrong image of the cover on the site, it's a fully legit way to buy and enjoy the book at a great price.

Merry Horological Christmas!

Welcome to the forum, and thanks for that info. Duly ordered for SWMBO to put in my Christmas stocking!

**PickleB** · 4th November 2016, 12:37

Originally Posted by andrewcregan

Ordered from Books etc

http://www.booksetc.co.uk/books/view/-9781851498291

£28.36

Originally Posted by PickleB

Ditto, thanks for the pointer...and thanks to the OP for the heads up...

Originally Posted by Iamcalledryan

Happy reading gents!

Re Booksetc, perhaps people could share/confirm their experiences wth them because they are not an authorized distributor and do not have valid details of the book on the website. Want to make sure it's actually my book you are getting!!

Originally Posted by Iamcalledryan

Hi guys,

I have confirmed with my publisher that BooksEtc are a full-blown partner of ours and despite the wrong image of the cover on the site, it's a fully legit way to buy and enjoy the book at a great price.

Merry Horological Christmas!

RM have just delivered my copy which I had to sign for. I'm happy to report that it's shrink wrapped and in pristine condition.

Now for a read...

**japester** · 4th November 2016, 13:24

Mines just arrived too!

Shrink wrapped and pristine

**xanx** · 4th November 2016, 16:26

Oh go on then! Another purchase coming your way from me!

Or maybe to add to the xmas list

its getting bought one way or another!!

**xanx** · 4th November 2016, 16:32

Oh go on then! Another purchase coming your way from me!

Or maybe to add to the xmas list

its getting bought one way or another!!

- - - Updated - - -

Oh go on then! Another purchase coming your way from me!

Or maybe to add to the xmas list

its getting bought one way or another!!

**EJL25** · 4th November 2016, 16:39

Just ordered a copy.
Thanks for the heads up!

**Iamcalledryan** · 4th November 2016, 17:04

Great news guys!

Japester, thanks for the update - let me know your first impressions.

Magirus - thanks for the welcome and I hope you get what you wish for!

Xanx and EJL25 - ENJOY!

R

**Iamcalledryan** · 4th November 2016, 17:29

Hi guys,

I thought I would share some fun pics of my copy of the book out in the wild. I must confess, the pic-posting process here is terrifying so I am not in the least bit confident that this will work...

**Iamcalledryan** · 4th November 2016, 17:30

A couple more!

**PickleB** · 4th November 2016, 17:52

Originally Posted by Iamcalledryan

Hi guys,

I thought I would share some fun pics of my copy of the book out in the wild. I must confess, the pic-posting process here is terrifying so I am not in the least bit confident that this will work...

**mycroft** · 4th November 2016, 19:05

Well it's certainly going on my Christmas list...

Simon

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