The World of Vacheron Constantin, Genève PDF Download

Author: Carole Lambelet
Publisher:
ISBN: 9782880120665
Category : Clock and watch industry
Languages : en
Pages : 415

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Author: Franco Cologni
Publisher: Flammarion-Pere Castor
ISBN:
Category : Antiques & Collectibles
Languages : en
Pages : 344

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Book Description
"In 2005, Vacheron Constantin, the world's oldest watch manufacturer in operation, celebrates its 250th anniversary. The famous Geneva house has continued to offer exceptional timepieces, from the first well-preserved watch, manufactured around 1760, to extraordinary contemporary mechanical devices with movements synchronized at 28,800 alternations per hour." "Illustrated with magnificent photographs taken for the occasion, the first part of this work describes the history of a house that is over two centuries old. The second part is dedicated to a catalogue of the prestigious watchmaking collection, gathered in Geneva by Vacheron Constantin. This catalogue presents the factory's most significant pieces, based upon a classification that does credit to the artistic trades that encompass fine watchmaking."--BOOK JACKET.

Author: Julien Marchenoir
Publisher: Higher Ed Leadership Essentials
ISBN: 9780300178562
Category : Clocks and watches
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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"Published in conjunction with the exhibition ... held at the national Museum of Singapore, June24th-August 14th, 2011"--T.p. verso.

Author: Stacy Perman
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1439190100
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 527

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Book Description
Two wealthy and powerful men engage in a decades-long contest to create and possess the most remarkable watch in history. James Ward Packard of Warren, Ohio, was an entrepreneur and a talented engineer of infinite curiosity, a self-made man who earned millions from his inventions, including the design and manufacture of America’s first luxury car—the elegant and storied Packard. Henry Graves, Jr., was the very essence of blue-blooded refinement in the early 1900s: son of a Wall Street financier, a central figure in New York high society, and a connoisseur of beautiful things—especially fine watches. Then, as now, expensive watches were the ultimate sign of luxury and wealth, but in the early twentieth century the limitless ambition, wealth, and creativity of these two men pushed the boundaries of mathematics, astronomy, craftsmanship, technology, and physics to create ever more ingenious timepieces. In any watch, features beyond the display of hours, minutes, and seconds are known as “complications.” Packard and Graves spurred acclaimed Swiss watchmaker Patek Philippe to create the Mona Lisa of timepieces—a fabled watch that incorporated twenty-four complications and took nearly eight years to design and build. For the period, it was the most complicated watch ever created. For years it disappeared, but then it surfaced at a Sotheby’s auction in 1999, touching off a heated bidding war, shattering all known records when it fetched $11 million from an anonymous bidder. New York Times bestselling author Stacy Perman takes us from the clubby world of New York high society into the ateliers of the greatest Swiss watchmakers, and into the high-octane, often secretive subculture of modern-day watch collecting. With meticulous research, vivid historical details, and a wealth of dynamic personalities, A Grand Complication is the fascinating story of the thrilling duel between two of the most intriguing men of the early twentieth century. Above all, it is a sweeping chronicle of innovation, the desire for beauty, and the lengths people will go to possess it.

Author: Ariel Adams
Publisher: Acc Art Books
ISBN: 9781851497546
Category : Luxuries
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
More than a fashion accessory or means to tell the time, the wristwatch has become a statement of identity; politician or celebrity, scientist or sportsman, what you choose to wear on your wrist speaks volumes about who you are. The World's Most Expensive Watches presents some of the most extravagant, intricate, collectible, decadent, or just plain interesting modern-day timepieces that sit at the top of the price spectrum. Starting at a threshold price of about $200,000, it is a trip through the last decade or so of watches whose values soar incredibly to prices of $5 million dollars or more. Additionally, there is a selection of notable watches that yielded extremely high prices at auction - many of which are historically relevant. A stunning collection that is both informative and entertaining; with detailed descriptions of individual watches and articles that usefully deconstruct the price tag with an explanation of the relevance of craftsmanship and complexity of design, as well as the importance of exclusivity, prestige and collectibility. Prepare to be impressed by a larger-than-life-look at some relatively small items that command not only huge prices but kudos and respect, in all areas of a global society fascinated with using accessorizing to create identity.

Author: Steven Huyton
Publisher: Schiffer Publishing
ISBN: 9780764351648
Category : Design
Languages : en
Pages : 312

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Book Description
Welcome to a celebration of alternatively designed wrist- and pocket watches, which honors innovative craftsmanship within the world of modern horology. The 150 different brands featured in this unique book each have a double-page spread dedicated to rare, specially selected timepieces. Featured manufacturers include Patek Philippe, Jaeger LeCoultre, Vacheron Constantin, Chopard, Tag Heuer, and Hublot. There is also a broad selection of avant-garde watchmakers like MB & F, Urwerk, and DeBethune. The design and technical information of each watch, ranging from simple to elaborate, is described in this lavish showcase of mostly high-end watch brands. A wristwatch made entirely of wooden parts, a timepiece designed after a Ferrari engine, and other one-of-a-kind movements, are just a few examples of the stunning variety of alternatively conceived men's and unisex watches. Many have not appeared in print before. This collection should appeal to both watch lovers and aficionados of good design.

Author: Ricky Jay
Publisher: Quantuck Lane Press& the Mill rd
ISBN: 9781593720001
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 202

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Book Description
This excursion into the history of bizarre entertainments includes armless calligraphers, mathematical dogs, tightrope-walking fleas and assorted quacks, flimflammers and charlatans of spectacle.

Author: John Reardon
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780982037928
Category : Clocks and watches
Languages : en
Pages : 359

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Author: Alexander Barter
Publisher: Prestel Publishing
ISBN: 9783791380117
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Now repackaged in an attractive and great value-for-money format, this overview of twentieth-century horology combines stunning pictures of the most covetable time-pieces with the unparalleled expertise of a world-renowned vintage watch dealer. This impeccably researched and lavishly illustrated book traces the evolution of the watch across the twentieth century. It charts the early rise of the wristwatch, shows how the cataclysmic events of the 1929 Wall Street Crash unexpectedly led to a golden age of watch production, and demonstrates how the electronic watch, which almost destroyed the traditional industry, led to a mechanical watch renaissance in the last part of the century. Each chapter focuses on a specific decade, opening with an introduction to the era's stylistic and design highlights and then examines the development of specific genres of watches. Hundreds of color photographs include full-page close ups that reveal intricate details of form, texture, and design. Alexander Barter's vast knowledge informs his gripping texts, which discuss the major achievements in watch technology and design. This book also includes vintage advertisements and other promotional materials, helping to give a sense of the eras in which they were created. The perfect gift for watch aficionados, this beautiful and informative volume presents the world's finest watches with an elegance and depth befitting its subject.

Author: Mitch Greenblatt
Publisher: Thames & Hudson
ISBN: 9780500297575
Category : Design
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
An accessible, design-savvy collector's guide to the world of unusual, rare and dazzlingly retro watches. Retro Watches is a popular, accessible collector's guide for anyone who wants to make a statement with the watch they wear, but who wants to choose a timepiece that is very different from the 'classic' and very mainstream watches by the major Swiss brands. It brings together the most intriguing, visually striking and 'out-there' watch designs from little-known but influential watch brands, along with overlooked but brilliant pieces from the major players. One hundred watch models are featured, specially photographed for the book and accompanied by accessible, informative texts discussing the watch's design, its intriguing features, and its rarity and value. The book also dives into the cultural and fashion history of watch design and the many innovations from the 60s, 70s and 80s.