Bibliography
Below is a listing of the various texts that I refer to in the pages of this website or have otherwise found useful or informative in one way or another. The list is not exhaustive of what is available or even au courant, as there are literally libraries of books on the subject of watches, watchmaking, horology, and the many related fields of trade, craft and interest.
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Watchmaking |
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Watches |
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George Daniels Retrospective |
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The George Daniels Horological Collection
Sotheby's, 2012 A catalog for the Sotheby's auction of Daniels' personal horological collection. Includes many pieces made or modified by himself, as well as many unique clocks, watches, tools, and horological art. My pockets were only deep enough for the catalog! |
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All in Good Time: Reflections of a Watchmaker |
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The practical watch escapement |
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The Art of Breguet |
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George Daniels: A Master Watchmaker & His Art
Clerizo, Michael Publisher: Thames & Hudson; 1 edition (April 1, 2013) ISBN-10: 0500516367 An excellent overview of George Daniels and his work. Although much of the information is presented in other books on or by George Daniels, this book is very well put together, and contains excellent photography. There is some unique information and photos of his work not found in other books, including an unfinished pocket watch which was still under construction at the time of Daniels passing. There are images of drawings by Daniels for some of his pieces as well photos of watches and clocks that were in his personal collection. |
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The Time Museum Catalog of Chronometers
Randall, Anthony Publisher: Time Museum (Rockford, Ill.) 1992 ISBN-10: 0912947039 A very nice collection of various types and makes of chronometers. As I understand it, the book is a representative catalog of the chronometers from the collection of Seth Atwood (Time Museum). It is an excellent historical account of the progress made in chronometer making. The book is authored by the eminent horologist, Anthony Randall (a pair of his superb carriage clocks are part of the collection). Also part of this amazing collection, Mr. Atwood is the only person to 'commission' a watch from Daniels. It was the first of Daniels' dual train/escapement watches. He writes a foreword in this book in regard to his appreciation of this watch and Daniels himself. |
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The Quest for Longitude: The Proceedings of the Longitude Symposium Harvard University
William J. H. Andrewes (Author, Editor) ISBN-10: 0964432900 An excellent and very thorough discussion of the longitude problem. Discusses the history, mathematical, astronomical, quack, and time keeping methods of addressing the old problem of determining longitude at sea. The drive to solve this problem was a significant force behind the creation of ever more accurate, portable time keepers. The chapters are written by various authors and notable horologists. The final chapter is written by George Daniels. He discusses the importance of the mechanical watch in the 21st century, and encourages prospective students and hobbyists to get involved in watchmaking and the pursuits of the artist craftsman mechanic. |
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Wheel and Pinion Cutting in Horology: A Historical Guide |
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The Joesph Bulova School of Watchmaking |
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The Cowells 90 Lathe - A Handbook |
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Touhrbillon - about my passion
Steffen Pahlow Privately Printed, 2001. ISBN 3-00-007198-9 Excellent book about making tourbillon pocket watches by hand methods. Originally written in German, the english translation is not the best, but one can work through it. He provides very complete technical drawings of one of his watches as well as some good information on engraving, dial making, detent making and case making (including hunter type cases). |
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Der Chronometergang
Alois Irk Berlin, 1923, reprint Florian Stern, 2006. ISBN 3-9809557-8-8 A detailed treaty on chronometer escapements. It is referenced and recommended by Mr. Pahlow in his Tourbillon book (above). It is written in German, however, it might be a tough read even if it was written in English! It succinctly covers the various types of chronometer escapements, including both English and German types. A useful section on construction, detailing the necessary cutter profiles with dimensional information for making a chronometer wheel. |
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Das Klassische Taschenuhrgehäuse
Steffen Pahlow Privately Printed, Bad Nauheim, Germany2006. Excellent book about making pocket watch cases by traditional methods. Also written in German, but with modern online translation software, it is not impossible to read through. I recently learned that this book is currently available in English. The photos and diagrams are very useful, and overall this is a very informative book. Other than 'Watchmaking,' this is the only book I have found that details the case-making process. |
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Professional Goldsmithing |
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How to make an English regulator clock |
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Using the small lathe and its special applications for clockmaking and repairing |
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Tools for the clockmaker and repairer : how to make and use them |
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Clockmaking Tools and Techniques |
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Workshop Techniques |
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The Watch Repairer's Manual |
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Bench Practices for Watch and Clockmakers |
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The watchmaker's staking tool |
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Antique Watch Restoration - Volume I
Perkins, Archie Publisher: AWCI, 2012 ISBN 0615633609 298 pages An excellent and up to date treaty on watch restoration methods. This book covers a number of different topics in great detail, including the restoration of fusee watches with attention given to methods of polishing winding wheels, making a fusee cone and chain, calculation of gear trains, pivot work, etc. The information and instruction on staking tools (in the book above) are repeated with additional details given. |
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Antique Watch Restoration - Volume II
Perkins, Archie Publisher: AWCI, 2015 ISBN 978-0-692-30108-1 278 pages This volume includes detailed information on forming non-jeweled holes and oil sinks, testing and using the depthing tool, making jewel settings, as well as a thorough discussion of making the various types of jewels themselves. There are separate chapters on various escapement types, and how to make all their components, including the verge, duplex, cylinder, chronometer, and detached lever. Construction methods encompass escape and balance wheels, levers and pallets, detents, roller tables, etc. This volume together with Volume I of this series and Mr. Perkins' previous title, "The modern watchmakers lathe and how to use it," form a very comprehensive distillation of information for use to any watch maker, restorer, and repairer. |
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Practical Benchwork for Horologists |
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Practical Watch Repairing |
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The Watchmaker's and Model Engineer's Lathe: A User's Manual |
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Complicated Watches and their repair
DeCarle, Donald Publisher: London : N.A.G., 1956 Another of DeCarle's many books. It is an extension of Practical Watch Repair, in that it describes other mechanisms not found in PWR, including calendar mechanisms, automatic winding systems, chronographs, repeaters and others. |
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Practical Watch Adjusting and Springing
DeCarle, Donald Publisher: London : N.A.G., 1964 Overall, it is a book of the techniques to make a watch a better timekeeper. As far as hairspring manipulation, I think Jendritzki's book is more comprehensive, however, de Carle discusses a number of other topics and methods/sources for fine tuning, such mainspring adjustments, finishing arbors and pivots, escapement finish and lubrication, all of which impact the timekeeping of the mechanism. |
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With the Watchmaker At the Bench
DeCarle, Donald Publisher: NY : Pitman, A fairly old book, de Carle provides a general overview of the occupation and the trade of watchmaking for that time period, as well as instruction on various basic techniques. The book contains a good bit of basic instruction, but it starts out almost like an occupational guide book, so that a prospective student can see if they would like that sort of work. |
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Watch and Clock Making and Repairing |
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Watch and Clock Escapements
Gazeley, W. J. Publisher: Heywood, London, 1956. An addendum to the book above, focused on escapements. Overall, a good book with unique information. As to escapement theory, I would perhaps suggest some other titles in this list, but the fundamentals are there. There is a chapter on using the depth tool, and a fairly detailed chapter on polishing techniques, specific to escapements. Gazeley was obviously a proponent of making use of jigs and swing tools to get the job done, a very wide range of gadgets are described in this chapter. |
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The Swiss Watch Repairer's Manual 2nd Edition |
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Watch Adjustment |
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The watchmaker and his lathe |
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Turning and milling in horology |
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The theory of horology |
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Frédéric Houriet The Father of Swiss Chronometry
Sabrier, Jean-Claude ISBN 13 : 978-2-940239-12-2 A detailed account of Frederic Houriet and his work. He is, perhaps, one of the lesser known geniuses of horology. I was not familiar when happening across the title. The book provides a fairly thorough examination of his work, which is quite impressive. |
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The Modern Watchmakers Lathe And How To Use It |
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Twenty-first century watchmaking |
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The clock & watch makers guide to gear making... "and other machines" |
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The Ship's Chronometer
Marvin E. Whitney Publisher: Amer. Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute ISBN: 0-918845-08-4 Edition: 1985 Perhaps not the best pictorial account of chronometers (relative to some other books). It is an excellent historical account, especially for early 20th century chronometers. It is also an excellent and very thorough book for technical information and practical information, such as methods of cleaning, and repair and restoration of marine chronometers. Whitney details processes such as making a spring detent, and more general methods of setting up, care and use, and disassembling chronometers. It contains a detailed explanation of chronometer testing and the official methods previously used. It is also a very complete information resource for American chronometers, providing part diagrams, etc. for specific makers. |
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High-end Horological Finishing and Decoration
Caroline Sermier and Giulio Papi Publisher: Stampfli Publications (Switzerland) Audemars Piguet A nice coffee-table style of book which covers the various techniques of movement and watch finishing. Beveling, polishing, chamfering, screw-making, wheels, pivots, engraving, engine-turning, spotting, Cotes de Geneve, snailing, graining, electroplating, etc, etc. The basics are given and color photos demonstrate some the different stages for each technique. I don't think the book is intended for instruction in these methods, but more of an overview of the various crafts and skills involved in "high-end" watch decoration. All the watches and components featured are Audemars Piguet. I suspect it is intended to help alleviate the customer's conscience over why such watches are so expensive. |
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Tabletop Machining : a basic approach to making small parts on miniature machine tools
Martin, Joe Publisher: Author, Vista, CA. c1998 This book provides information on machining fundamentals using the Sherline lineup of machine tools. Although not a horological text, it contains a lot of useful tips and guidance for micro-machining with modern small tools. There are also numerous examples of intricate work (mostly scale models) created by various hobbyists. The color photography throughout is quite nice as well. |
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The Art of Engraving
Meek, James, B. Publisher: Brownell 1973 ISBN: 978-9997645791 A detail description of tools and methods of engraving, intended primarily for a beginner. Numerous examples provided, mostly dealing with the engraving of firearms, however, the techniques can be applied elsewhere. |
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The Jewelry Engravers Manual
R. Allen Hardy and John J. Bowman Publisher: New York : Prentice Hall, Publication Date: c1976. A concise description and instruction for engraving tools and techniques. I picked this book up, since I will eventually need to do some basic engraving for the dial and perhaps to put my name on the movement plate. To aspire even further, to perhaps engrave some scroll patterns in lieu of engine turning. One of the few books I could find on the subject; however, I have not, at this time, made any progress in its practice! |
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Master Watchmaking - A Modern, Complete Practical Course |
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Treatise on Modern Horology
Saunier, Claudius Foyle - London 1952 (2nd Edition) Classic text, primarily dealing with escapement theory, analysis and practicalities . It is a very complete explanation of the state of the science at that time (844 pages!). Unlike many of these older texts it is not readily available, and perhaps the copyright status differs from Saunier's other works. It was recommended to me by a visitor to this site, and after finding it and looking through it, I would recommend it to others as well. |
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Watch and Clock Making
Glasgow, David Cassell & Co., Limited, 1885 Classic treatise, I refer to him a couple times on my site. Practical explanations of methods with commentary. |
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The Watchmakers' Hand-Book |
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Lessons in Horology |
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Machinery's Handbook
28th edition New York, Industrial Press 2008 A massive tome and machinist's bible, so-to-speak. If you can not find the answer to a machining question, or remember a formula, trigonometry, geometry, etc. it can probably be found in this text. |
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Workshop Practice Series |
I did not have a more appropriate place to insert this story by Mark Twain, but it is well worth reading.
| My Watch by Mark Twain |
| favicon.ico |
