Read our exclusive The Wristwatch Handbook by Ryan Schmidt review to find out if it is worth reading or not

If you are a watch aficionado, we know for a fact that you spend multiple hours browsing the internet looking at watches. You not only enjoy ogling at the latest wristwatches in the market but you also enjoy reading everything there is to know about wristwatches. 

If you wish to get to know your watches more, we recommend you to read a wonderful book titled: The Wristwatch Handbook by Ryan Schmidt.

As the name depicts, this book provides a detailed understanding of the working of wristwatches. We hope that our review of The Wristwatch Handbook will convince you to purchase this book straightaway.   

First Impressions

• First, let us take a look at the book’s cover and exterior look. The book is quite sturdy, it weighs 5 pounds, 6 ounces and its dimensions are 10” x 11.5”. The book has a sense of royalty. It comes with a full-color exterior cover and a matching hardcover underneath. 

The inner sides of the cover make quite an impact as they are embossed with giant photos of mechanical watch gears. 

What Lies Ahead?

• The glossy pages of the book are adorned with brilliant graphics of the watches. The content of the book is holistic and does not focus on any single watch, brand or even any specific time period of watchmaking. Rather, the book talks in detail about multiple mechanical watches. The book starts off with simple and introductory content which is easily comprehensible for newbies as well.

As the book progresses, it builds its way to more complex details of mechanical watches. During the entire book, Ryan Schmidt has talked about over 90 brands of wristwatches. His tone remains neutral and he does not show an inclination towards any specific brand of watches to give the readers unbiased information.

• The Wrist Handbook provides holistic and detailed information on multiple components of wristwatches. It can be divided into two sections. The first section talks in detail about the mechanical watch movement, their anatomy, and functionality. Reading and imbibing the basics of mechanical watch movements will help you analyze the wristwatches you own and those you wish to own in the future. 

As the book progresses to section 2, its direction and focus shifts to the complicated add ons most high-end luxury watches have. To name a few, some watch show dates, others have complicated chiming minute repeaters and some even come with calendars. 

• This section gives a detailed overview and understanding of the multiple watch functions that have become a part and parcel of modern horology. Each chapter of section 2 is dedicated to one watch add-on. To give you an example, the chapter ‘Recording Lapses of Time’ talks about mono-pusher chronograph, regatta timer, and pulsometer. 

Likewise, another chapter titled ‘Power and Performance Indication’ talks about crown position indicator, dynamograph, and power reserve indicator. ‘Astronomical Complications’ is another chapter that focuses on the moon phase indicator, planetarium, and annual calendar. 

Conclusion

• After having read the book from cover to cover, we have come to the conclusion that this handbook is highly recommended for both newbies and veteran aficionados. Ryan Schmidt has put a lot of thought and effort into the structure and detail of the book. For e.g. precise and easily comprehensible information is given about each watch whose image is displayed on the handbook.

You will be blown away by the quality and details of the graphics displayed in this handbook. The watch components are labeled and each component has been explained in detail. If you are a watch enthusiast and wish to learn more about mechanical watches and their intricacies, order a copy of The Wristwatch Handbook now. 

This book review has been brought to you by Lido Watch Club.