The Book Review: Retro Watches

You will probably be surprised by all the different kinds of shapes that can be found in this selection of over 100 watches from the late 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Retro Watches is quite a unique book. It brings together all the most avantgarde, bold and eccentric watches you might have ever seen.

In Retro Watches, I even found a watch that I saw years ago but was hesitant to pull the trigger on. When I got back to the listing a few days later, someone else had already bought the Desotos chronograph. I regret that I let it go. An asymmetric case is nothing unusual and many watches have, mostly to protect the crown or pushers. But not a single one is as asymmetric as this Desotos, which looks like its dial is sitting next to the strap. When you strap it on, you might look like you are sporting a piece of steel.

If you want to enjoy the original design idea, you have to put on a shirt. The asymmetric case allows the dial to sit closer to your hand and prevents it from getting stuck under your sleeve. If you ever see this blue beast powered by a Valjoux 7734 and operated by two pushers integrated into the top line, go for it. Worth the deal just for its killer-nickname, the Desotos „Cuffbuster“ Chronograph.

More than 100 Retro Watches

When I heard this book was published, I immediately ordered it. I am sorry to bring you a review this late, but believe me or not, the pandemic didn’t help much. The book, unfortunately, got lost in transport so delivery time stretched to four months. I was all the happier when it finally reached me and I could flip through its pages.

I am not a typical collector that hunts down only established vintage watch stars. Quite the opposite, I do enjoy exploring, digging deeper, and discovering vintage watches with unusual complications. In the Retro Watches book, you can find some unusual pieces that display time in a unique way, including the Zodiac Astro or Lip Secteur inspired by automotive fuel gauges. Those are „must-have“ watches and I am pretty sure most of you have seen them before. I bet what will astonish you the most is the outrageous variety of casings for three handers or chronographs and all the names they are branded with.

As Josh Sims writes in the introduction to the Retro Watches book, „‘retro’ has become a strong force in design. These designs were really pioneering, resulting in styles that, undoubtedly, are too strong for some people“. I would not argue with that, some designs are too much even for me. What would you say taking a look at the Codhor Chronograph or the Damas Jump Hour Vertical watch? And now imagine that there are another 100 other watches as crazy as these in the pictures in the book.

A unique book

The Retro Watch book is no generic mesh-up or quick stunt that sells thanks to an over-dozed marketing campaign. I would compare it to a modern quality publication that digs deeper into a specific watch model or watch reference. Just instead of one watch, you have hundreds of them, all linked together by their style. The selection is comprehensive and it will be pretty novel to many readers. It’s not enough to flip through the pages all at once and you will feel that as a result of years of someone‘s research. In this case, also the result of years of collecting.

The name behind Retro Watches

That someone is Mitch Greenblatt, a very special character in the world of watches. „Vintage was my gateway drug into horology,“ says Mitch that re-directed his career in the early 2000s from illustration and TV production into watch collecting, dealing, blogging, and finally, designing and producing unique watches for his own watch brand. With over a dozen successful campaigns on Kickstarter, it’s safe to call his Xeric watch brand a success.

I asked Mitch what watch hunting was like back in the 2000s and how he sees it today. „It was a gold mine back in the day but the problem, like anything, was that you didn’t know what or which would take off later. Part of me just wishes I collected more desirable stuff for the investment angle, but I only collect based upon my personal tastes.“ And it’s good for us that he did so. If he would have collected vintage classics only, he might have multiplied his investment. But we would have never seen such a unique watch collection as the one Mitch managed to put together.

Which are Mitch‘s favorite watches from the book? „I’ve always been partial to double retrograde watches like my LIP trio, Wittnauer Futurama and Sultana.“ Besides the Cuffbuster the Heuer Ford RS Split Lap Unit 77, the Rado NCC 404, or a few driver’s watches, including the Girard-Perregaux Casquette stand out to me.

Facts about Retro Watches book

There is no special watch categorization over the 250 pages. They are all listed in alphabetical order, usually with one spread per watch model. Mitch took photos of the watches from multiple angles and you can find over 300 watch illustrations in total. Some watches he shot on a white background, while others he styled perfectly over beautiful full-page shots.

Verdict

For $27 I got better paper and printing quality than I expected. I believe you too won’t be disappointed if you decide to invest in it. I have a few watch books sitting on my nightstand that need a lot of time or concentration to dive into. The Retro Watches book is easy to open anytime and you immediately get a dose of inspiration. I agree with Mitch when he says that most collectors will never see such watches other than from this book or through years and years of searching.