– By Logan Baker
Summer is a good time to slow down and spend time with a watch book that teaches you something new – or just reminds you why you care about these objects in the first place.
Here are six of our favorites to add to your reading list.
‘The Dial: The Face Of The Wristwatch In The 20th Century’ By Dr. Helmut Crott
Most people overlook the dial, but it’s the heart of a watch’s personality. Dr. Helmut Crott’s book dives deep into how dials were designed, produced, and evolved across the 20th century. The book is packed with reference images, technical details, and auction data, making it useful for collectors and historians.
It’s a reminder that a small detail, like a font or color, can define an entire watch.
Available in French and English.
Learn more. CHF 370
'Breguet (1747-1823)' – By David Salomons
David Salomons’ classic on Abraham-Louis Breguet remains one of the best introductions to the legendary watchmaker. It details Breguet’s inventions, from the tourbillon to the pare-chute, and explains how his designs shaped modern watchmaking.
The book mixes technical discussion with historical anecdotes that keep it engaging. It’s a reminder of how one watchmaker’s innovations can ripple across centuries. And with Breguet celebrating its 250th anniversary this year, there's no time like the present to delve into the watchmaker's history.
Available in French and English.
Learn more. CHF 27.95
'Rolex Cosmograph Daytona. Volume 1 Manual Winding Models (1963-1988)' By Grégoire Rossier, Tiffany To, and Anthony Marquié
This book, co-authored by Phillips Geneva Head of Sale Tiffany To, is the definitive resource on early manual-wind Daytonas. It covers references, dial variants, and production details with clear images and charts that make it easy to navigate. Whether you collect Daytonas or just want to understand why this watch became a cultural icon, you’ll get clarity here.
It’s as much a practical guide as it is a record of an era.
Available in French and English.
Learn more. CHF 169
'The Revival of Time: Memoirs' – By Walter Lange
Walter Lange’s memoir is a personal look at the revival of A. Lange & Söhne after the fall of the Berlin Wall. It captures his family’s legacy in German watchmaking and the challenges of rebuilding a brand in a newly reunified Germany. The recent re-edition, released last year, includes updates and additional images, making it feel fresh while keeping Lange’s voice clear.
It’s an honest, human perspective on what it takes to bring a watch brand back to life.
Available in German and English.
'The Jürgensen Dynasty: Four Centuries of Watchmaking in Two Countries' – John M.R. Knudsen
Knudsen’s book tells the story of the Jürgensen family, spanning four centuries in Denmark and Switzerland. It’s a deep dive into family, craftsmanship, and the shifting industry around them. The book combines archival research with clear technical descriptions of Jürgensen's work, making it a reference and a narrative read at the same time.
With the recent revival of the Urban Jürgensen brand under Kari Voutilainen's leadership, this is the perfect book to understand the Jürgensen family's historical importance in watchmaking.
Available in French and English.
Learn more. CHF 240
'The Making Of A Status Symbol, A Business History of Rolex' – By Pierre-Yves Donzé
This book, recently published in English, explains how Rolex became Rolex. Donzé, a business historian, looks at how Hans Wilsdorf built the brand’s identity, marketing strategies, and distribution networks to transform it into a global luxury symbol. It’s not a collector’s guide, but it will help you understand how branding and manufacturing decisions shaped the Rolex image.
If you want to understand how Rolex operates, it’s essential reading.
Available in French and English.
Learn more. £20
About Phillips In Association With Bacs & Russo
The team of specialists at PHILLIPS Watches is dedicated to an uncompromised approach to quality, transparency, and client service. Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo holds the world record for the most successful watch auction, with its Geneva Watch Auction: XIV having realized $74.5 million in 2021. Over the course of 2021 and 2022, the company sold 100% of the watches offered, a first in the industry, resulting in the highest annual total in history across all the auction houses at $227 million.
About Logan Baker
Logan has spent the past ten years covering the watch industry from every angle. He joined Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo in early 2023 as Senior Editorial Manager, after previous roles at Hodinkee and WatchTime. Originally from Texas, he spent a decade in New York and now calls Geneva home.
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