WATCHES IN 100 FACTS: How a Coiled Spring Learned to Tell Time — And Nearly Died Twice (The Definitive Watch Series: The Real Stories Behind Legendary Timepieces)
Language: English
Published by Independently published, 2026
Series: Book 16 of 17 - The Definitive Watch Series: The Real Stories Behind Legendary Timepieces
- Softcover
- New

Seller: California Books, Miami, FL, U.S.A.California Books
AbeBooks seller since October 27, 2023
Condition: New
£ 18.55
Quantity: Over 20 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
Print on Demand.
Seller Inventory # I-9798194959341
- Title
- WATCHES IN 100 FACTS: How a Coiled Spring Learned to Tell Time — And Nearly Died Twice (The Definitive Watch Series: The Real Stories Behind Legendary Timepieces)
- Author
- Van Houte, Cornelis
- Publisher
- Independently published
- Publication year
- 2026
- Condition
- New
- Binding
- Soft cover
- Language
- English
- ISBN 13
- 9798194959341
- Series
- Book 16 of 17: The Definitive Watch Series: The Real Stories Behind Legendary Timepieces
From the ticking heart of the mainspring to the high-stakes longitude race that cost sailors their lives, "Watches in 100 Facts" takes you on an extraordinary journey through horological history. Written by Cornelis van Houte, this compelling book strips away marketing mythology to reveal the genuine engineering, triumphs, and near-extinction of mechanical timekeeping.
Discover the surprising truths behind the craft:
- The Physics of Time: Uncover how the escapement, balance wheel, and gear train work together in precise, discrete steps to measure seconds.
- Battles at Sea & War: Follow John Harrison’s grueling decades-long crusade to solve longitude, and see how World War I trenches, outer space exploration, and deep-sea diving forged legendary tool watches.
- Myths Debunked: Learn why higher jewel counts don't automatically mean a better watch, why Everest's true summit watch wasn't a Rolex, and the sobering history of the Radium Girls.
- The Quartz Crisis & Survival: Witness how a microscopic vibrating crystal and a cheap plastic watch nearly destroyed Switzerland’s centuries-old industry — and how mechanical watches transformed into the ultimate luxury artifacts.
Grab your copy today and explore the remarkable story of the spring inside millions of wrists!
Cornelis van Houte
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
California Books
Miami, FL, U.S.A.
AbeBooks seller since October 27, 2023
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 3 to 7 business days | 2 to 5 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 2.25 | £ 12.76 |
Payment methods
Store description
We have 20 years experience selling books worldwide! Friendly customer support. Your satisfaction guaranteed!
Specialty
All authorized categoriesSeller's business information
Miramar International Services LLC
FL, U.S.A.
Right of withdrawal
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to California Books, Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S.A., without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
- The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
- The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.