The World’s Great Clocks & Watches

Hamlyn publishing, 1977, hardcover, illustrated, index, 254 pages, 22.5 cms x 30 cms x 2.8 cms, condition:very good.

. For 700 years, clocks and watches have been in the forefront of technological discovery and invention. Cedric Jagger, Assistant Curator of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers collection, traces this road with infectious enthusiasm combined with a rare gift for explaining subtle technical matters in everyday language. After a chapter on sundials and other non-mechanical clocks, he takes the reader through the basic ingredients of a clock or watch, dealing with the various types of escapement, striking and chiming mechanisms calendar work, etc. The author then devotes a chapter each to the great periods of clock- and watchmaking, explaining the significance of the mechanical advances and describing the evolution of styles to be seen in dials and cases. All the great makers and innovators are here Huygens, Tompion, Mudge, the Harrisons, Le Roy, Breguet many others. A fascinating history of the contrasting technologies of America and Japan is followed by a final chapter on collectors and collecting. The 370 illustrations, of which 120 are in color, include many photographs specially taken for this book of little-known examples of the clock and watchmakers craft, and a particular feature is the use of engravings from early horological books to illustrate technical points. These illustrations combine with expert text to make this book probably the most profusely illustrated and comprehensive introduction to the subject ever published.