Ivar LineAbout Time: Celebrating Men's Watches

I really have a hard time respecting a book like this that was clearly never even checked for errors or proof read before going to print. One other reviewer pointed this out, but some of the errors are just ridiculous - conflicting dates and information from page to page or even paragraph to paragraph. What were the editors even thinking?Now I just got the book today and have read half of it (and I am a slow reader), so it's an easy read, but it's not particularly a good read. For example, the story of Charles Vermot and how he saved Zenith through the El Primero movement is just an amazing story. In this book though the story falls completely flat. There isn't even any mention of Rolex adopting this movement for their Daytona model. The whole story told about the Omega Moon Watch, although several pages long falls flat too (boring). Plus the story says nothing about Bulova actually getting their "moon watch" on the moon, in fact the book seems to suggest that this never happened. There is a whole section too on the relationship between watches and luxury cars, but with absolutely no subsistence, just pretty pictures of cars, full page stock pictures of cars... in a book about watches. It reminded me of essays I wrote in high school where I was trying to meet some page length requirement and just filled it with fluff. There are good stories to be told here, but the author just is not a good story teller!Now I still have another half of the book to read, so maybe it will get better, but I'm not going to hold my breath. Bottom line... it's not horrible bad, but I just recently read "The Watch" and "A Man and His Watch" (both available on Amazon) which truly, sincerely are very well written books. "About Time" just does not compare since it's not particularly well written and certainly not well edited.Update: I have finished reading the book and believe I see the main issue. This book was originally written in Norwegian and then translated to English by one individual. I believe that the translation was not done well, resulting in writing that really doesn't flow. Still the editing in the second half of the book got even worse, almost to the point of being comical - looking for the errors on each page. A lot of the writing is disjointed with information just thrown together but not tied together in a sensible way.It reminds me of a modern art painting made by a monkey throwing paint at a canvas. From a distance it may look okay, but up close you can see there is no reason to it. Some paint (or in this case facts about watches) sticks, some splatters, and overall it just doesn't flow together. My only question is who is the monkey, Ivar Hauge Line who wrote the original Norwegian text, Anne K. Espeland who translated it to English, or Schiffer Publishing who didn't edit it. Maybe they are all monkeys. :-)

This book is so much more than a simple book about watches. It tells the stories behind some very interesting people that owned some of the most important time pieces in history. The book is written in a way that makes you want to know more about the watches and when you read you understand why a watch is so important to many people. It is a fun way to get information and the book is a light read with a selection of great photos that back up the stories in an engaging way. The reader gets a clear understanding why the author is so interested in watches, it really is not a book for nerds, but will probably turn you into somewhat of a watch nerd after reading it. This book will probably also look good on your coffee table and it is a great suggestion if you are in need of an interesting gift.

Can't say enough about it. My son is a watch collector and we gifted this and a bamboo watch to him for his birthday.He really liked both. He has now started a collection of books about time, timepieces, etc.Try this book. There is a plethora of information that is so interesting! If you like timepieces, this is a must-have.

This is a coffee table book I think a lot of men will appreciate! Appealing photos, interesting stories and fun facts. Everybody knows who was the first man on the moon, but what watch did he wear? And what did Felix Baumgartner wear around his wrist in his free fall? Which type of car is linked to which watch etc. I learned a lot, and of course I am tempted to buy a new watch. One thing is for sure, a watch tells much more than just the time.A perfect gift for any man who likes watches!

I'm a watch enthusiast; I recently bought this book: It's very good for semi-in-depth write-ups on facts and factoids related to the specific watches featured. For the relatively recent books on watches, I'd rate this one as second, behind the book, The Watch by Gene Stone. Stone's book gives you a whole lot of pictures organized by the watch brands along with good bits of advice, helpful lists, and tasty trivia. Buy them both. But suggest you start with Stone's book.

Very interesting book. The author does a great job of explaining why a watch is more than just a timepiece. What goes into a quality watch movement? Why was the Omega Speedmaster used in the Space Program? Mr. Line has done an excellent job of balancing history and entertainment. As many others have suggested, it will make for an outstanding gift.

brought for a friend--watchman.

My husband loves watches and the art of watches and enjoyed this book. Nice photos and short blurbs about many collectable brands. Makes a great gift

Nice book with great photographs. I wish more diversity in style of watches. It does have a great photo of my vintage Tudor Monte Carlo and have that page bookmarked with the end piece of an older alligator strap.

I found the book to be easy to read and informative. As well a listing the author's choice of the 10 best watches for him to collect, he provided some background and history to each watch. The "About Time" book is an excellent addition to a watch enthusiast's library along with the Wristwatch Annual.

Couldnt put this book down. I read it in one sitting. The content is very interesting with some great diagrams, pictures and history of swiss brands etc. A must for watch collectors.