The 11 best watch books to give for Christmas, a birthday or just to treat yourself

A book? A watch? And why not a book with watches? If some watches are affordable without being cheap, others are definitely too expensive to parade on our wrist. Fortunately, it is not forbidden for us to take advantage of it. Authors and brands offer the opportunity to discover or rediscover emblematic watches that have become part of the legend of watchmaking. They have written books on cult watches, such as the Submariner and the Daytona Cosmograph by Rolex or the Tank by Cartier, books on the history of a watch brand, such as the sparkling yellow celebrating the 140th anniversary of Breitling or the black checkerboard from Tag Heuer. Most of them are about Swiss luxury brands, but other books focus on cult watches, in a vintage spirit. As you will have understood, our selection of the most beautiful watch books to offer for Christmas will have something to educate you on the subject. And, who knows, it will give you ideas for one day writing a book about your personal watch collection?

The Cartier Tank Watch

A book about a cult watch. The Tank, released in 1917 and born from the imagination of Louis Cartier, is one of the best-known watches in the world. Available for more than a hundred years in various models – Tank Française, Tank Anglaise, Tank americaine, Tank Cintrée, Tank Chinoise, etc. – the Tank is told here by Franco Cologni over 232 pages (the book weighs 1.8 kilos!). Its characteristics, the celebrities who fell for them, incredible photos… this book on this Cartier watch is a must have, whether you like watchmaking or not.

Moonwatch Only: The Ultimate Omega Speedmaster Guide

Even though this book is only in English and has a price of 250 euros, it is a must-have among watch books. For what ? Quite simply because it tells the unique story of one of the most famous timepieces in the world: the Speedmaster. Since 1957, this model has embodied the conquest of space, the journey to infinity. Officially adopted by NASA, the Moonwatch, which was on the wrist of a certain Buzz Aldrin one day in July 1969, became the reference watch for astronauts, participating in six moon landings and playing an essential role in the Apollo 17 mission. This is the 3^e edition for this book of Omega watches signed Grégoire Rossier and Anthony Marquié.

Oyster Perpetual Submariner, The key to the depths

Some claim that the Rolex Submariner is the most famous watch in the world. Maybe. This watch launched in 1953 still fascinates watch enthusiasts. This diving model is told during the 252 pages of this work published by a reference in the world of design, the magazine Wallpaper. “Over time, the Submariner has become an iconic timepiece, whose fame extends well beyond the world of diving. Today it is the watch of choice for a wide range of athletes.” can we read in this book. A coveted watch that you can now get to know from every angle, waterproof, of course.

Breitling: 140 Years in 140 Stories

140 years couldn't not be celebrated. Breitling made it big by presenting three watches during the Geneva Watch Days at the end of August 2024 and an all-yellow book. Over the 288 pages of this work, the history of Breitling, begun in 1884 thanks to Léon Breitling, is told in 140 stories. The Chronomat, Navitimer, Top Time and Superocean collections are explored through testimonials from people who have a history with the Swiss brand. More than 100 vintage watches enhance these extraordinary moments.

Ferrari and watches

Heuer, Longines, Girard-Perregaux, Panerai, Hublot, Richard Mille… These luxury watch brands have one thing in common: Ferrari. They each collaborated with the Scuderia, a world-famous and recognized automotive legend, through Enzo Ferrari who had the habit of offering personalized watches to his Formula 1 drivers and his team. This book looks back on Ferrari's partnerships with watches, also focusing on personalities (managers, drivers, celebrities) who have a history with Ferrari… and its watches.

The vintage watch guide

Judikael Hirel is currently one of the best-known journalists in the French watch industry. After a notable passage at Pointhe now works for our colleagues at Figaro. And he writes books. Less personal than Red Concord released in 2023 and in which he recounts the violent attack suffered after trying to come to the aid of a woman attacked in the Paris metro, his Guide to vintage watches breathe in the nostalgia. From mechanical watches to quartz ones, including French, diving, Swiss, James Bond, military and even Japanese models, Judikael Hirel tells us the little stories of the large needle dials of this world. A book perfectly located between culture and watchmaking.

Citizen: The Essence of Time

Citizen is one of the Japanese watch brands that has captivated minds. Born in 1924, this entity which takes its name from a desire of its creator, the politician Gotō Shinpei, to address as many people as possible is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a sublime book published by Assouline. Paying 195 euros for a book (available only in English) may not seem like much sense, but in the end it will perfectly complement (or open) your personal collection of books on watches. For 240 pages and more than 300 illustrations, we understand why Citizen is synonymous with innovation, quality and design. Watch out for your back when you pick it up, it weighs 3.44 kilos!

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona

We cannot highly recommend the two-volume work on the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona written by Anthony Marquié and Grégoire Rossier, two watchmaking experts who have just opened a branch of Watchfid in France, an advisory office dedicated to watch enthusiasts. This Rolex watch launched in 1963 is, like the Submariner, an icon of watchmaking. In the first volume, the manual winding models produced between 1963 and 1988 are deciphered, while the second volume sheds light on the automatic models released since 1988. You will undoubtedly find the most beautiful models of this Rolex legend in our ranking of the most beautiful Daytonas in history.

Carrera, The Race never stops

A brand immediately reminiscent of automobile watches, Tag Heuer will return in force to the heart of the Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2025 by becoming the main watch sponsor. It is therefore time to review its classics and understand how this brand created by Jack Heuer was able to carve out a place among the greatest watch brands in the world. The Carrera models, Monaco dear to Steve McQueen or the famous S/EL worn in the 1980s by Ayrton Senna have made Tag Heuer a watchmaking legend. In this work directed by Nicholas Biebuyck, Tag Heuer's heritage director, renowned experts talk about the Carrera, the ultimate sports watch. The Carrera celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2023, so you can imagine that this book on this star watch has some stories to tell you.

The Connoisseur’s guide to Fine Timepieces

European Watch Company is a famous retailer in Boston and anyone who wants to appreciate horological wonders has been coming to this store for over 30 years now. They now have a book that brings together 150 exceptional models. In “The Connoisseur's Guide to Luxury Watches,” rare vintage pieces and other more classic ones are masterfully dissected and photographed. this 4 kilo, 304 page book is not cheap – 195 euros – but it will appear nicely in your library.

The Watch Book – Rolex

This is the book you need if you swear by Rolex when it comes to watches. Watch historian Gisbert L. Brunner tells everything and more about the Swiss crown brand. More than 400 photos, in color and black and white, punctuate the 288 pages of this collector's book. Note that the texts are in three languages: German, English and French.