Taschen’s New Book Spotlights the 100 Best Collector Watches

Taschen has found a way to bring horology’s finest achievements into your home. 

The German publishing house is about to release a monumental two-volume monograph on rare and revolutionary wristwatches. Aptly titled Ultimate Collector Watches, the two tomes spotlight 100 of the most incredible timepieces ever made and provide a comprehensive historical overview of haute horlogerie, from the very first pocket watches to the latest and greatest one-offs. 

“Ultimate Collector Watches is an important and welcome tome for all those looking to learn more about collecting vintage watches,” says Eric Wind, founder of Wind Vintage. “I had a hard time putting it down once I cracked the pages.”

Written and curated by design authors Charlotte and Peter Fiell, the double volume encompasses creations from the 1890s to the present day, giving readers a comprehensive overview of luxury watchmaking. The first volume covers 1890 to 1950, while the second covers 1980 to 2023, meaning together they trace 130 years of watch history.

It took the Fiells two long years to compile the list. The selection spans early pilot watches by Longines to legendary vintage chronographs by Patek Philippe, Rolex, and Audemars Piguet to contemporary pieces at the forefront of horology. It also includes masterworks by the legendary George Daniels and his protégé, Roger W. Smith, as well as other renowned independent watchmakers, including Philippe Dufour, François-Paul Journe, Kari Voutilainen, and Rexhep Rexhepi. 

Each grail is accompanied by a fascinating backstory that details the design and development process, as well as spectacular images captured by the world’s top watch photographers. You can also expect rare archival treasures, including early sketches, initial technical drawings, and period advertisements. 

Adding even more gravitas to the 960 pages are in-depth interviews with experts from the watchmaking and collecting worlds, including Patrick Getreide (OAK Collection), Alexandre Ghotbi (Phillips), Ben Clymer (Hodinkee), Roger W. Smith (watchmaker), Auro Montanari (renowned collector), and Silas Walton (A Collected Man). Long-time watch specialist and auctioneer Aurel Bacs wrote the foreword, stating that the listed hundred are indeed “the rarest, most significant, most breathtaking wristwatches ever made.” And that’s coming from a man who has handled Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona Ref. 6239 and a F. P. Journe Tourbillon à Remontoire d’Egalité “15/93,” no less.

Ultimate Collector Watches will be available from January for $250. Taschen is also offering a special collector’s edition of 1,000 numbered copies, with each one priced at $850. You can pre-order both the standard edition and the collector’s edition now.

Click here to see photos of Ultimate Collector Watches.