Watchmaking

by George Daniels

This is the second reprint of the standard work on watchmaking; indispensable to watchmakers and restorers of mechanical watches. George Daniels completed his first watch in 1969, arousing enough interest to generate a renaissance in the art and skills of designing and making individual watches. Watchmaking describes every aspect of the antique craft of watch construction. Line drawings detail every manufacturing technique employed, and completed watches and their component details are illustrated in color.

The author's principal aim in writing this book has been to inspire and encourage the art of watchmaking, especially among a new generation of enthusiasts. As a supreme master of this art, his advice is constantly sought both by students and watch repairers. His understanding of the problems that can beset the would-be watchmaker, especially in an age of mass production, his expert knowledge of the history of watchmaking, together with his concern for the continuation of the art, have convinced him of the need for a comprehensive study of the subject.

One of the most interesting aspects of George Daniel's work, which this book describes, is that he makes every component of the watch himself. In addition to explaining the techniques required, many of which he has evolved himself, Daniels describes the tools that will be necessary for working, both by hand and machine, and also defines the ideal workshop and its contents.

The making of the precision timekeeper is described, step by step, and is illustrated at each stage with line drawings and brief explanatory captions. The text is easy to follow and care has been taken to avoid complicated technical descriptions.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Engineering, Design, History, Reference, Fashion

460 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

George Daniels, CBE, FBHI, FSA, AHCI (19 August 1926 – 21 October 2011) was an English horologist who was considered by some to be one of the best in the world in the field of luxury mechanical watches and timepieces during his lifetime. He was a watchmaker who built complete watches by hand (including the case and dial). But it was his creation of the coaxial escapement for which he is most remembered. The movement, which theoretically removed the need to add a lubricant, has been used by Omega in most of their collections since 1999. --Wikipedia

His published works include Watches (1965), English and American Watches (1966), The Art of Breguet (1974), Clocks & Watches in the Collection of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers (1975), The Practical Watch Escapement (1977), Watchmaking (2011), and All in Good Time: Reflections of a Watchmaker (2000).

Reviews

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daniels back in the 1980s revived the mechanical watch from its pending obsolescence caused by the rise of quality quartz digital watches. Nowadays bespoke mechanical watches are popular, you can see many examples online. This book teaches many of the skills to build such watches, they are not for the uncommitted, a custom watch built to these standards can take a year or more to build. Probably the best book on the subject.

[Max · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't know what to expect going into this book. I got it because I wanted to understand more about how wristwatches work. This book is accessible for a novice, and provided not just an advanced understanding of a mechanical wristwatch mechanism, but also a thorough description the traditional manufacturing methods, and commentary on the history and effectiveness of different mechanisms. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in watchmaking, it will make you appreciate what goes into a "handmade watch".

[Ricky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! If you had any interest in what goes into making watch or the tooling, this is the book for you. I picked it up, knowing that George Daniels has done some amazing work with mechanical watches in his lifetime, and really fascinated by his design and theory behind the coaxial statement that he sold to Omega. It was a little slow reading only because it really is that thorough!

[Mishari Bin husien · Rating 5 out of 5]

So complicated I got lost in the old technical movements, but it shows the development of watchmaking. It explains a lot of the science, but I wished that some of the pictures was transferred to sketches to make it easier on the eyes.
I'll definitely read it again.

[Anil]

i cant to read

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of a kind. Want to build watches? This is the book. It covers making screws, gears, dials, cases. Everything. Priceless information.

[Pierre · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must have for all horology enthusiasts.

[Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really has it all. From tooling to escapement design, Daniels provides the reader with everything they need to understand the fundamentals of how a mechanical watch works.

[Saeed Khurram · Rating 4 out of 5]

The excellent book for the watch makers.

[Ali Armoun]

this book a great book about tools and watchmaking