5 Great books for watch enthusiasts (that aren’t actually about watches).

Ok, I’m just gonna say it… I would rather re-size a collar and pin bracelet with nothing but my teeth than read most watch books.

I have zero interest in the minutiae of which screw does what in a movement, or how many cogs are in a coaxial movement.

I do try to be a good watch enthusiast. I try to care about model numbers, I really do, but it’s just not where my love of watches lies.

I love the history, the design, the fashion and the culture.

If you are like me, and technical books don’t turn your rotor, then you’ve no doubt already looked at books such as ‘A man and his watch’ and ‘Retro Watches’, so I thought I would share 5 other books for the watch enthusiast, that aren’t actually about watches…

1. Lake Success – Gary Shteyngart

A story of a super successful hedge fund manager who, disillusioned with life, hops on a greyhound bus in search of his childhood sweetheart.

It recounts his journey and the colourful people he meets along the way, as well as the story of the wife he leaves behind.

As well as being a great book in and of itself, it is a particularly good read for the watch enthusiast due to being peppered with references to various watches throughout the story.

Nomos, Universal Geneve, IWC, the Cartier Crash, the Reverso, Timex and a variety of others are mentioned.

A great book for exploring one man’s connection to watches.

Amazon link:

2. The Cartier’s – Francesca Cartier Brickell

The Cartier watches are only mentioned briefly in this book, but there are some wonderful stories shared, such as those of the characterful Alberto Santos DuMont, the famous Brazilian aeronaut so closely linked to the Cartier watch story.

What makes this book particularly great for the watch enthusiast is the recounting of the story behind the Cartier name, which made some of the watch worlds most icon time pieces, and how the business survived wars, recessions and internal feuding in order to still be producing beautiful watches today.

I’m not someone who generally enjoys biographical or factual books, but this book is wonderfully written and tells some great stories that you don’t hear about in the YouTube videos.

Definitely worth a read.

Amazon link:

3. Casino Royale – Ian Fleming

I doubt there is a watch enthusiast alive who doesn’t know the bond connection, and there is no denying that it fuels a lot of the desire for Omega.

If you are a Seamaster fan, or even if you just love the popculture behind watches, the James Bond books are absolutely worth a read.

Watches aren’t actually mentioned in the first novel. It’s not until the second, Live and Let Die, that there is reference to a Rolex, but if you haven’t read any of the books yet I would absolutely start at the beginning with Casino Royal.

Amazon link:

4. Everest Summit of Achievement – Stephen Venables

Sometimes I don’t have the time or the energy to dive into a book, and just want to look at some pretty pictures instead.

Social media is one option for that, but there are also some amazing photography books out there that are worth a look.

I may do a separate post on books filled with beautiful watch photos, but there are other non-watch related options out there for the watch enthusiast.

‘Everest Summit of Achievement’ isn’t just a photography book. It is full of information about the exploration of the mountain, including Hillary’s ascent, and also talks about the beauty of Tibet and it’s people.

It is, however, mostly a book of photos, and they are particularly wonderful.

A great book for the enthusiast who wants to explore the tough conditions these explorers and their watches have been through.

Amazon link:

5. American Pyscho – Bret Easton Ellis

A bit of a curve ball to finish on, but I like to include something for everyone!

American Pyscho is the story of a ridiculously wealthy investment banker who decends into madness and murder. There are a multitude of theories as to what the underlying message is of this book, and thoughts that it is a commentary on capitalism and big business.

You can read about why I actually think it’s a watch collectors fable in another post of mine here.

Amazon link:

So those are my top 5 picks for you to try.

Now, go strap on your favourite reading watch, make a delicious coffee (or Martini) and pick up a book.

WRUW? – In the photographs I am wearing a vintage Longines Mainliner.