A complete resource of Watch related Media, covering books, podcasts, review/new sites and links to top creators.
Watch Books
Want to find you next watch read – take your pick from our list of books below.
Hands of Time: A Watchmaker’s History of Time
Written by Dr. Rebecca Struthers a fellow Birmingham local based in the famous Jewellery Quarter. Hands of Time is an essential read because it offers a rare, bench-side perspective from a master artisan who truly understands the soul of mechanical horology. As an antiquarian watchmaker, Dr. Rebecca Struthers elevates the book far beyond standard historical timelines by weaving in the tactile, sensory experiences of the workshop—from the distinct scent of vintage lathe oil to the meticulous art of restoring centuries-old movements using traditional hand tools. Collectors will be especially captivated by her deep dive into the 18th-century “golden age” of horology, where she explores crucial mechanical breakthroughs like the lever escapement alongside her own fascinating academic research into the historical market for sophisticated Swiss and Dutch counterfeits.
What makes the book truly stand out for a watch lover is its treatment of the timepiece not just as a tool for punctuality, but as a profound cultural and artistic artefact. Struthers chronicles the captivating evolution of the watch through major horological milestones, including the transition of the wristwatch from a feminine novelty to a rugged piece of wartime military gear, and the devastating impact of the 1970s Quartz Crisis on traditional watchmaking. By blending rigorous historical insight with an intimate, beautifully written memoir of surviving as an independent maker in a male-dominated trade, she delivers a lyrical love letter to the craft. It is a book that will make any enthusiast look at the ticking machine on their own wrist with a completely renewed sense of wonder and historical appreciation.
The Watch: Thoroughly revised
The Watch, Thoroughly Revised by Gene Stone and Stephen Pulvirent is a definitive cornerstone for watch enthusiasts because it serves as both an ultimate visual encyclopedia and an expert guide to the world’s most influential timepieces. The book tracks the sweeping history of horology while profiling 50 of the world’s most iconic and collectable watch brands, ranging from legendary powerhouses like Rolex and Patek Philippe to revered independent microbrands and modern trailblazers. For any collector, the book is a masterclass in what makes a timepiece significant, offering invaluable advice on how to start or grow a collection, what details to look for in vintage vs. modern pieces, and how to properly care for a mechanical wardrobe. It acts as a perfect roadmap for navigating the massive, often overwhelming landscape of watch collecting.
What makes this specific edition indispensable for a modern watch lover is the comprehensive update provided by horological expert Stephen Pulvirent, which captures the massive shifts in the industry over the last decade. This revised version dives deep into the explosive rise of the digital watch era, the booming secondary and vintage markets, and the contemporary obsession with independent watchmaking. Packed with hundreds of crisp, stunning new photographs that beautifully showcase the intricate details of dials, cases, and movements, it brilliantly balances high-end horological education with sheer visual coffee-table appeal. It is an essential, highly scannable reference guide that will spark inspiration and deepen the technical appreciation of anyone passionate about the craft.
The Wristwatch Handbook
The Wristwatch Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide to Mechanical Wristwatches by Ryan Schmidt is an absolute must-have for watch enthusiasts because it acts as the ultimate, highly visual textbook on the inner workings of mechanical timepieces. Unlike books that focus on brand histories or vintage market values, this handbook dives straight under the hood, dedicating itself entirely to the mechanics, architecture, and engineering of the watch. It is meticulously structured into two main parts: the anatomy of the watch (understanding the movement, escapement, and power source) and the world of complications, ranging from standard chronographs and power reserve indicators to ultra-complex tourbillons and minute repeaters. For any collector wanting to move past aesthetics and truly understand how their watches tick, it provides an unparalleled technical education.
What makes this book a masterpiece for enthusiasts is its incredible balance of deep horological theory and accessible, breathtaking presentation. Schmidt explains complex mechanical concepts with remarkable clarity, decoding intricate engineering feats without drowning the reader in dry academic jargon. This clarity is backed by over 400 brilliant, high-resolution photographs and exploded diagrams from some of the world’s finest watchmakers, allowing you to visually trace the gear trains and power flows being described. It is the perfect, scannable reference guide that turns a casual collector into an informed connoisseur, making it a book you will constantly pull off the shelf to better appreciate the micro-engineering sitting on your own wrist.
Time Keepers
Timekeepers: How the World Became Obsessed with Time by Simon Garfield is a fantastic read for watch enthusiasts because it provides the ultimate macro-context for why we wear and collect timepieces in the first place. Rather than drilling down exclusively into gear trains or individual reference numbers, Garfield takes a witty, anecdotal, and digressive journey through the last 250 years to show how time went from a passive natural rhythm to an aggressive, omnipresent force dominating human culture. For a watch lover, the book acts as a brilliant backstory to the hobby, exploring the massive societal shifts that made precise timekeeping essential—such as the creation of standardised railway timetables and the chaotic resistance against “London Time” by citizens who preferred local solar time.
A Man & His Watch
A Man and His Watch by Matt Hranek is an indispensable masterpiece for watch enthusiasts because it shifts the focus away from sterile technical specifications and dives straight into the emotional heart of horology. Hranek travels the world to interview a fascinating mix of legendary collectors, style icons, and everyday watch lovers, uncovering the deeply personal, often gripping stories behind their most prized timepieces. From Paul Newman’s iconic Rolex Daytona to a humble Casio digital watch passed down through generations, the book proves that the true value of a watch lies in the memories, milestones, and relationships it represents. For any collector, it serves as a beautiful validation of why we obsess over these tiny machines, reminding us that every watch tells a story far beyond the time.
What makes this book a visual triumph for any enthusiast’s coffee table is its stunning, museum-quality presentation. Each of the 76 stories is accompanied by a gorgeous, full-page, unpolished photograph of the exact watch, shot directly against a stark black background by photographer Stephen Lewis. This gives readers an intimate look at every scratch, patina, and imperfection earned through actual wear, celebrating the “honests wounds” of a watch’s life. It is an exceptionally scannable and addictive read that bridges the gap between high-end luxury and sentimental vintage charm, making it a book you will find yourself picking up again and again just to marvel at the sheer romance of watch collecting.
Drive Time
If money is no object, this is the book for you!
Drive Time: Automotive Watches and Chronographs by Aaron Sigmond is an absolute dream for watch enthusiasts, particularly those who love the deep, historic intersection between motorsport and horology. The book celebrates the unbreakable bond between the racetrack and the wrist, exploring how the need for precision timing on the track fueled some of the greatest mechanical innovations and iconic designs in watchmaking history. For a collector, it serves as a spectacular, dedicated deep dive into the evolution of the chronograph, profiling over a century of automotive-inspired timepieces. From ubiquitous racing legends like the Rolex Daytona, TAG Heuer Monaco, and OMEGA Speedmaster to hidden gems and dashboard timers, Sigmond provides the ultimate curated anthology of watches built for speed.
What makes this book stand out for an enthusiast is its incredible visual storytelling and its focus on the culture surrounding these timepieces. Beyond the technical merits of the watches themselves, Drive Time captures the glamorous, high-octane lifestyle of the drivers, teams, and eras that made these watches famous, featuring brilliant photography of both incredible engines and exquisite dials. It is a highly scannable, beautifully produced coffee-table book that effortlessly connects the dots between automotive design language—like tachymeter scales, rally straps, and instrument-cluster aesthetics—and the mechanical micro-engineering on the wrist. For anyone who appreciates the shared DNA of high-performance engines and mechanical movements, it is an essential, inspiring addition to the library.
The Hilarious Guide To Watch Collecting
The Hilarious Guide to Watch Collecting by Chris Halden is an absolute breath of fresh air for watch enthusiasts because it boldly strips away the high-brow, overly serious tone that often dominates the horological community. Instead of dryly debating the merits of in-house movements or heritage, the book turns a satirical mirror onto the hobby, affectionately poking fun at the eccentric behaviours, internal contradictions, and outright absurdities that every collector secretly recognises in themselves. From lampooning the obsessive pursuit of “grail” pieces to mocking the existential dread of getting a hairline scratch on a case, Halden delivers a sharp, witty comedy that highlights the lighter side of being obsessed with micro-engineering.
For a watch lover, this book is an excellent addition to the library because it acts as the perfect, highly relatable antidote to “hype culture” and watch-forum burnout. Halden beautifully breaks down the various archetypes of modern collectors—from the strict purist to the status-chasing hype beast—with quick, scannable chapters full of punchy humor and insider jokes that only someone deep in the watch rabbit hole would truly understand. It is a laugh-out-loud reminder that while watches are incredible feats of art and mechanics, the actual act of collecting them is a beautifully irrational passion meant to be enjoyed with a healthy dose of humor.
Quartz Watches: From Early Quartz to The Apple Watch
Quartz Watches: From Early Quartz to the Apple Watch, 90 Ingenious Electric Watches Explored by Clément Mazarian and photographer Henry Leutwyler is a vital masterpiece for watch enthusiasts because it boldly dismantles the unfair stigma that quartz and electric watches play second fiddle to mechanical ones. Mazarian, an esteemed collector and dealer, curates a brilliant technical and cultural timeline that celebrates the sheer innovation of electronic horology. By highlighting 90 era-defining timepieces from the 1920s to the modern day—including pioneering milestones like the Hamilton 500, Bulova Accutron, and Omega Electroquartz alongside modern icons like the Casio G-Shock and Swatch Moonswatch—the book reframes battery-powered horology as a frontier of breathtaking micro-engineering and avant-garde design that forever democratized how the world tracks time.
For a watch lover, this book is an extraordinary addition to the library primarily because of its rare balance of highly scannable technical breakdowns and museum-grade visual presentation. Mazarian provides incredibly clear illustrated technical pages that demystify the complex internal mechanics of these electronic leaps, giving readers a profound, newfound appreciation for the physics and circuitry governing their dials. Paired with Leutwyler’s crisp, dramatic, and unforgiving macro-photography, each watch is presented with striking artistic clarity that highlights its unique casing, texture, and cultural backstory. It is a stunning, beautifully produced volume that serves as both a definitive historical guide and a powerful reminder that ingenuity in watchmaking isn’t just restricted to springs and gears.
Rare Watches: Explore the World’s Most Exquisite Timepieces
Rare Watches: Explore the World’s Most Exquisite Timepieces by Paul Miquel is a captivating addition to any enthusiast’s library because it maps out the absolute pinnacle of rarity, ambition, and cultural significance in the horological world. Rather than acting as a standard historical timeline or a dry price guide, the book serves as a beautifully curated journey through more than 50 of the rarest, most elusive timepieces ever created—including one-off prototypes and legendary collector’s pieces. Backed by industry heavyweights with forewords from auctioneer icon Aurel Bacs and industry titan Jean-Claude Biver, Miquel organizes the book into highly engaging categories like “Stars at Auction” (featuring record-breaking pieces from Only Watch), “Watchmaking at the Highest Level,” and “Watches for Heroes.” It acts as a thrilling window into a tier of watchmaking that few ever get to see in person, making it an inspiring read for those who want to understand how technical mastery and historical provenance intersect to create legendary artifacts.
What makes this book a stellar coffee-table centerpiece for a watch lover is its exceptional visual storytelling and accessible narrative style. Published in collaboration with premier auction houses like Christie’s, it is packed with stunning, massive macro-photography that captures the flawless casework, intricate dial textures, and complex movements in breathtaking detail. Miquel—a seasoned horological journalist—deliberately keeps the text crisp, highly scannable, and focused on the compelling human anecdotes behind each piece, detailing the provenance of watches worn by cultural icons like John F. Kennedy, Elvis Presley, and even the prop Rolex Submariner from James Bond’s Live and Let Die. It is a light yet deeply fascinating read that offers endless conversational trivia, expanding an enthusiast’s awareness of what is possible at the very boundaries of watchmaking history and symbolic prestige.
Watch You Talkin’ About
Hosted by Alex and Jordan, this laid-back, opinionated podcast covers everything from new releases and microbrands to hot takes and the quirky side of watch collecting. Expect weekly wrist checks, news breakdowns, listener Q&As, and plenty of entertaining side quests along the way.
Where to find it
Wrist Watch Weekly
Hosted by Peter (@mysterywatchguy) and Chris (@thebudgetwatchman), this weekly podcast covers the full spectrum of watch collecting—from budget starter pieces and microbrands to luxury giants like Rolex and Omega. Drops every Monday with honest discussions on new releases, major industry events, collecting trends, and practical buying advice.
Where to find it
Two Broke Watch Snobs
Hosted by Mike and Kaz, this podcast delivers honest, approachable watch reviews and thoughtful horological discussions aimed at helping enthusiasts take pride in their collections at any price point. Dropping weekly episodes and reviews alongside their editorial site, the duo explores both established brands and micro-labels with a fun, unpretentious, and community-driven perspective.
Where to find it
Scottish Watches
Hosted by Rikki and Dave, Scottish Watches is a fast-paced, humor-filled podcast that serves as an unpretentious antidote to typical luxury watch journalism. Publishing twice weekly, the show balances sharp industry news and new release coverage with candid interviews featuring microbrand founders, master watchmakers, and executive leaders from major Swiss brands.
Where to find it
Time To Unwind
A podcast from WatchGecko. Watch enthusiasts and special guests from the industry get together to talk about everything watches. From thoughts on current happenings in the industry to new watch releases, thoughts on watches based on hands-on experience, and, general banter and chatter about why they love watches.
Where to find it
Worn & Wound
Hosted by the Worn & Wound team, this flagship weekly show delivers in-depth watch news, event coverage, and candid discussions with industry colleagues and brand founders. From accessible tool watch reviews to broader design and cultural deep dives, it offers expert yet approachable coverage across the independent and mainstream horological world.
Where to find it
Coming Soon