The Style of Time - by Mara Cappelletti (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Time is a great mystery. A changeable element, which expands or vanishes, but that appears concrete as it is marked by the passing of seconds, minutes, hours, days, and years. The path toward the capture of minutes and seconds coincided with the phases of scientific evolution that allowed man to manufacture watches that are increasingly reliable, but that are also in tune with changes in customs, social needs, and aesthetic canons.

This book covers the art of watch manufactory as well as 60 great models, covering both their technical evolution and style trends. In each chapter in-depth studies will guide the reader to the history of the most important manufacturers, the personalities linked to the models treated, technical innovations, styles of the period, or records achieved by the wristwatches: from the watch that helped Charles Lindbergh during the first transatlantic solo flight, to the one worn by Sir Edmund Hillary on the top of Mount Everest, the most iconic models will be discussed in detail.

Review Quotes

"... describe the evolution of the watch design decade by decade amid the fashion, artistic, technological, social and political developments on each time period."

""A watch is a work of technical mastery. It also constitutes an artifact that blends art with science, creating what has over the years become, and remained, an object of desire," writes journalist and professor Mara Cappelletti in her newly released book The Style of Time (ACC Art Books), which marvels over the intricacies of 60 timepieces that have directed the course of history and are exemplary of style trends."--JCK Magazine

"Alongside photos of watches both classic and elaborate--Cartier's jewel-encrusted brooches and Patek Philippe's diamond-set bracelets are notable stunners--author Mara Cappelletti delves into the art of watchmaking and recalls historically significant timepieces, including the one worn by Charles Lindbergh during the first transatlantic solo flight."--Natural Diamonds

"Decade by decade, the evolution of wristwatch design since the year 1900 is broken down over 272 pages, framing each era in its context, taking into account fashion, technology, society and the political situation." Google Translate from Spanish--Forbes Watch Spain

"Each chapter of Mara Cappelletti's beautifully illustrated new book, The Style of Time: The Evolution of Wristwatch Design, details a decade of horological history."--Rapaport

Annual Holiday Gift Guide 2023: "This book, published by ACC Art Books, covers the details and technical wonders of 60 wristwatch models that went down in history for their innovation in shapes, materials, and production methods, the perfect gift for any watch enthusiast."--The Gentleman Racer

About the Author

Mara Cappelletti is a journalist and author of several titles about watches, jewelry, and ethnic jewel traditions. She's a professor of a laboratory at the University of Milan, teaching the history of jewelry, and she is the president of the association Stile e Storia (Style and History) focused on the valuation of historic treasures.