The Watch: Stories and Savoir Faire – Audemars Piguet 

Description

This ultimate reference on fine watchmaking offers a comprehensive overview of the history and anatomy of luxury timepieces.
Taking readers behind the scenes to discover the captivating realm of mechanical watches, this indispensable reference provides rare insight into the world of fine watchmaking. Designed for watch enthusiasts, experts, and industry professionals alike, the book examines every detail of the anatomy of the watch through informative text and photographs that highlight iconic models and innovations from the range of fine watchmaking brands.

Each facet of the watch–dial, case, strap, movements, complications–is explained through key concepts or features, from face displays or hands to engravings or case materials, and from escapements or powering movements to the three families of complications. This encyclopedic work celebrates the watchmaker’s savoir faire–through historical accounts and archival documents, interviews with technical experts and specialized artisans, definitions of major horological terms and fascinating anecdotes, newly commissioned photographs and modern illustrations by Arthur Junier. This groundbreaking volume is essential reading for aficionados of watches and fine watchmaking and its publication coincides with the 150th anniversary of Swiss luxury watchmakers Audemars Piguet.

https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-watch/audemars-piguet/9782080453228

Review:
What we love about this book is the richness of information, open any page and you will discover something uniquely special, not just about the craft of fine watch-making but also the heart, soul and passion of the dedicated artisans creating the world’s most desirable watches. 

The cover is a work of art wrapping around the most detailed content including over 700 photographs, interviews, sketches and beautiful illustrations.
What the creators behind this beautiful book wanted to achieve was not just the history and talents of Audemars Piguet, but also to focus on the network of suppliers, craftspeople, technicians, designers and engineers who have a critical role to play in the creation of every watch. It also recognises how vulnerable some of these rare skills are and how, like in many heritage crafts, these special people should be treasured and celebrated and encouraged to develop new generations of artisans with the same passion and commitment to perfection.

The content of this book is incredibly detailed taking the reader to the very heart of the watch, focusing on every possible detail and tiny component behind the dial, the case, the bracelet and strap, the movement and the ‘complications’ which in watchmaking refers to a function other than the indication of hours, minutes, or seconds and like every other chapter in this book this section is utterly fascinating.

If you love watches you will be both enchanted and fascinated by this exquisite book, not only is it a superb source of reference, it also celebrates the passion, skill and devotion behind a dedicated team of fine watchmakers. One of our favourite books of 2025! Very Highly Recommended!

Audemars Piguet Is a Swiss luxury watch manufacturer founded by visionaries Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet in 1875 and renowned worldwide for its high-quality and innovative timepieces.

The Watch: Stories and Savoir Faire – Audemars Piguet is published by Editions Flammarion