Time Machines - by Gestalten & Blake Z Rong & Sean Paul Lorentzen Hardcover

About the Book

A journey through timepieces that have defined eras, shaped culture, and inspired generations.

Book Synopsis

A journey through timepieces that have shaped history, defined style, and captured the spirit of innovation.

Wristwatches have transcended their original function as mere timekeepers, evolving into symbols of craftsmanship, design, and cultural significance. From the early 20th-century innovations that gave rise to the first wristwatches to the iconic models that have shaped modern watchmaking, these timepieces have become timeless artifacts of human ingenuity.

Time Machines delves into this rich history, presenting a curated selection of 100 iconic watches from 1900 to today. Each watch tells a unique story, capturing pivotal moments in design, technology, and the cultural shifts that influenced -- and were influenced by -- these masterpieces.

Structured chronologically, the book offers readers a deep dive into the evolution of watch design across the decades, exploring how watches have reflected cultural movements, technological advancements, and personal style. Through engaging stories and stunning visuals, the book highlights the intersection of craftsmanship, art, and the enduring appeal of watches as both tools and cultural icons.

Time Machines is an essential exploration of the global legacy of watchmaking, offering a visual and narrative journey through the innovation, artistry, and cultural resonance of some of the world's most influential timepieces.

Review Quotes

"Next up is a heavyweight release for history lovers, design geeks, and anyone who appreciates the big-picture view of watchmaking. Time Machines is a full-color, stitch-bound, 320-page journey through 100 influential watches from 1900 to today. Co-edited by my colleagues Sean Paul Lorentzen and Blake Z. Rong, the book blends storytelling with sharp cultural insight, illustrating how watches have mirrored the world's transformations--technological, stylistic, and emotional. Expect rich visuals, smart commentary, and a compelling narrative that connects the dots between design, identity, and the evolution of modern life. At somewhere between $85 and $90 (depending on where you buy it), it's a high-impact, high-value pick for any watch enthusiast."-- "A Timely Perspective"

"Writing a history of watches would be a daunting task, but François-Luc Giraldeau, Sean Paul Lorentzen and Blake Z. Rong found a simple solution: They approached it through more than 65 watches, beginning with the 1892 Hamilton Pocket Watch and concluding with Cartier's 2022 Masse Mystérieuse. Called "Time Machines: How Watches Shaped the Modern World," the 320-page book was published by Gestalten in September in Britain and on Nov. 11 in the United States ($90/60 British pounds)."-- "The New York Times"

"Is finely crafted watchmaking a matter of practicality, or a refined look into the dual worlds of art or science? Perhaps it's a bit of all three, and that elegant intersection is explored in eye-catching fashion in the impressive forthcoming book Time Machines - How Watches Shaped the Modern World (gestalten)."-- "Maxim.com"

"What makes Time Machines: How Watches Shaped the Modern World a must-read for any watch lover is its massive collection of pictures, along with important historical context, of the 100 most influential watches since 1900."-- "JCK"

"Find out which one hundred watches changed the world in Time Machines: Iconic Watches and Their Era published by Gestalten has the answer. The richly illustrated pages cover Cartier's Santos-Dumont's watch for daredevil pioneering pilots who needed to check the time without fumbling in their trousers for a pocket watch to the Rolex Submariner's that opened new depths to divers"-- "The Jewellery Editor"