Wrist chronographs are mechanical wristwatches that, in addition to their normal clockwork, are stop-watches. They are one of the most popular collecting areas in the broad spectrum of wristwatches because they are not yet too expensive and are available in large numbers. Until now they have not been studied systematically. Now Land and Meis offer this outstanding identification book.
The book consists of two sections: text and illustrations. The text deals first with the "face,"or dial, of the chronograph and all the indications that can possibly be read from the dial. then there is a technical section that shows the historical developments of the chronograph mechanism for wristwatches. Important patents by Breitling, Depraz, Jacot-Guyot and others are examined and used to explain the watches functions. The case form, especially the push-button mechanisms, are treated in their own chapter.
For practical reasons the illustration section is not laid out chronologically or by manufacturers and trade names. Instead, the authors have organized it according to the indications on the dials. In the individual sections, a chronological organization has generally been used. Pictures of the movements are always included with those of the watches. In a separate part, the most important types of movements are illustrated once more for comparison.
This book should be useful for collectors and aficionados of complex wristwatches. It is also intended to be an identification book for dealers and auction houses, since it can be used to authenticate watches by citing specific literature. finally, because of its many illustrations, it can serve chronograph manufacturers and designers as a source of inspiration for dial layouts and hand forms.
The text deals with the dial of the chronograph and all the indications that can possibly be read from it. There is also a technical section that shows the historical development of the chronograph mechanism. With collectors in mind the authors have arranged the illustrations by the indications on the dials. Pictures of the movements are always included with those of the chronographs.
