‘Retro Watches: The Modern Collectors’ Guide’

We’re all for the modern innovations and design ideas that make current watches bulletproof, reliable timepieces capable of doing everything from looking good to tracking you with GPS. There’s something to be said for the weird, quirky watches from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s that were more concerned with breaking the mold with unique, out-there designs. That’s where Retro Watches: The Modern Collectors’ Guide comes in. This 250+ page hardcover tome tackles more than 100 of those unique watches with 400 color illustrations, exclusive photographs and informational text about each watch’s design, history and intriguing features. The book was co-authored by design writer Josh Sims and Mitch Greenblatt–the founder of Xeric watches and watches.com (formerly Watchismo)–who provided all the watches from the personal collection he’s been building for more than two decades. It’s a rare look at the vintage watch category from the perspective of cool design and oddball style as opposed to pure luxury.