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Title: Rolex Wristwatches: An Unauthorized History (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
ISBN: 0764324373
Author:
James M. Dowling
Jeffrey P. Hess
Publicate Date: 2006-06
Publish: 2006-06
List Price: $125.00
Average Customer Rating: 4.5
Format: Hardcover
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $78.75
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $87.78
Amazon Merchant Price: $78.75
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| Customer Review: |
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1: Big Watches; Big Book
Similar to Rolex watches on which this book focuses, it's heavy, quite large, and overpriced. Again similar to Rolex watches, it does the job fairly well. Generally good to excellent photography traces the evolution of Wilsdorf's watches from "unknown," to a famous name. Furthermore, Wilsdorf understood the value of publc relations and advertising campaigns to boost his product to what's probably the most recognized brand of Swiss mechanical watches. While the book is lavish in its photographic presentations, there are too few words. Especially with watches, I want to know original and current selling prices, too. I yearned for a newer edition. Of course there can't be one every year, but this volume is better suited to the collector of older watches. I'd love one highlighting post-2005 Rolexes. But, you sure can't slight the research accomplished. Tops in that regard, few cover older Rolexes as completely. As a photographer who owns six Rolex watches, I appreciate the photography, and respect the teeth-pulling exercises the authors no doubt went through to locate the pictures. I prefer smaller books that are more conveniently sized for reading and storage. My library leans like the famous tower due to myriad so-called "table- or coffeetable-top" books that are oversized. Sometimes, as is this publication, that's the only way I find the material I seek: books about cars and watches. A slick, perhaps thicker, paperback edition possible to read lying down beats hell out of these large, cloth bound, impractical volumes. This book, at its price, is a product only a "watch buff" or a Rolex fan will likely cough up $125.00 to own. I'm both, plus I got it for $75: a "bargain," I suppose, maybe much in the same way Rolexes are when compared with several finer Swiss timepieces, such as Patek Philippe, a brand against which all watches are weighed,watchmakers often say. Rolexes are no Patek Philippes, of course, but they don't sell new for $100,000, $200,000, $300,000 or more, either, and sans diamonds as well! As a "gearhead" and watch hound for more than 50 years, I say a Rolex is similar to a Dodge pickup loaded with leather, GPS, Sirius and all the toys. They're tough, rough, practical. As mechanical devices go, they're reliable as granite. Each has a strong, masculine, but very attractive presence, and either one that's serviced religiously will work a century more. This isn't the best watch book I own, nor is it even the best Rolex book I have, but those of us dedicated to horology and Rolexes may say, as did I: "To hell with its dimensions, ungainly weight and price: I gotta' have it!" Unless Auntie Maude is the bearded weight lifter at the circus, don't send her after it. Plan to sit at a table to flip through it comfortably. (Be sure to order the 3rd edition, circa 2006!)
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2: The Best of Time: Rolex Wristwatches, an unauthorized history
This is a fantastic Rolex reference which is rich is history, background information, and abundant full-color photos. This is a must-have reference for the serious Rolex collector.
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3: The Rolex bible. Not more to add to that.
The best Rolex book available. Known among collectors as the Rolex bible it is easy to see why.
The quality of pictures nearly all color is beyond any other watch book published. The history sections flow from page to page and makes light reading.
As a guide and reference book on Rolex watches. It is simply the best.
I don't know much about the authors but they show their love for the watches in section after section. The price is fair; this is a very large well put together book.
I would like to give it 10 stars. The work involved producing it certainly merits it.
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4: Just a masterpiece
This has been called the Rolex bible. I dont agree with the phrase but it merits the award.
It is fantastic. No other wordfor it. Excellant pictures. Great facts and well put together.
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5: A great book for Rolex watch fans
This is a great book, its full of detail and has more detail than any other watch book produced ever. This has to be the bible of all Rolex books.
It has hundreds of case ref's and movement details, you will not find a book as good. The pictures are great and all in color.
I wish I bought it years ago. Saying that, this is the only downfall, its a few years old now, about 11, so it does not have the latest models.
If you want to know every detail on Rolex movements and case numbers this is the book for you.
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