00/24 WatchWorld

George Daniels (1926-2011) was one of the greatest watchmakers of all time. During his life he created 25 mechanical watches, almost all parts made by hand. The watches housed all kinds of complications, like tourbillons, minute repeaters, perpetual calendars, power reserve indicators and even thermometers. George Daniels was a Breguet expert and wrote a book devoted to Breguet. Another book he wrote, on watchmaking, is still the most comprehensive volume on this subject. His most significant contribution to mechanical horology, however, is the invention of the co-axial escapement.

Our Scandinavian 00/24 WatchWorld editor and blogger, Kristian Haagen, has released his fourth book on watches "Armbåndsure – facts og fortællinger fra den tikkende verden". The large format book shows watches from Swatch to Greubel Forsey. From auction records to extreme diver’s watches and tourbillons to die for. From watches named after racetracks to Richard Mille’s 1.2 million Euro watch.

Osvaldo Patrizzi, founder of Antiquorum (the first auction house specialized in watches) and Guido Mondani, editor and one of the greatest Rolex experts worldwide, are the authors of a new book devoted to the Rolex Daytona: “Rolex Daytona Story”. The book, published in a limited edition, is the world’s biggest book on Rolex watches, with a format of 31 x 41 cm.

One of our readers from Stockholm sent us this picture. This is good news for other readers in the Nordic region: the 00/24 WatchWorld Scandiavia 2012 Autumn has reached the bookstores!

Amsterdam-based Ace Jewelers Group has presented a completely new concept in customer information. It consists of an impressive book, The Ace List, plus a dedicated website,
www.TheAceList.com. Together, both media represent a new standard in communication about watches and jewels. The coffee table book is offering a kaleidoscopic view on the world of watches, jewelry and luxury living; the website – among others - offers clients the possibility to create their own lists of favorites

My dear friend, James Dowling, is mostly known for his incredible knowledge in Rolex. But, as many other passionate people, Dowling also appreciates other good things in life. For instance vintage Cartier watches.

I recently met with Dowling and he sported not a vintage Rolex on his manly wrist, but a stunning Cartier Tank from 1919. "Only six are known to have been made" explained Dowling when I asked him about the stunning watch.

After years of in-depth and systematic research into archives and after examinig correspondence, minutes of meetings, account books, patents and other original documents, Jean-Claude Sabrier, a well-known watch specialist. has written a book on ‘The Self-Winding Watch’. The book can be considered as the authoritive successor of the History of the Self-Winding Watch, that was published more than sixty years ago by Eugène Jaquet and Afred Chapuis.

The book  has 304 pages with color illustrations and is published by Editions Cercle d’Art; price CHF 73.80 or € 61.50.

Watchprint, a Swiss publisher of publications on jewellery and watches, has published a new book, titled ‘Caliber 2755’, with as subtitle ‘Vacheron Constantin’, the maker of this famous caliber. The book tells the story of Caliber 2755, which features a minute repeater, a tourbillon and a perpetual calendar: its development and the emotions of the watchmakers who made it. Of course, the caliber is described in detail. The book, written by Alexandre Ghotbi, is available in French and English, measures 34.5 x 32 cm and has 106 pages and colour illustrations. The price is € 58.00 or CHF 69.00. It can be ordered from Watchprint, based in La Croix-sur-Lutry (near Lausanne).

The book is on the street now. It´s in the book stores, the malls and webshops around the Queendom. Now...I thought I could just lay back, listen to the 8-track and Count Da Monies and enjoy much needed silence when the kids were in school. But publishing a book is a LOT of hard work. Talking to (other) journalists from the medias, trying to say something clever about the book, attending events and signing books etc etc.

I literally JUST received the preface from the prominent sports personality who generously agreed to guide the reader into my (third) book on watches. Finishing this 252-pager is both a little sad as well as very satisfying. Sad because I have spend so much time writing it. Satisfying because...well, because I have spend SO much time writing it! And layouting it too, actually. Read More My past as art director in advertising has its benefits.