Ferdinand Berthoud and Jacob Auch

How to Make a Verge Watch

Translated by

Richard Watkins and E.J. Tyler

A4 (10 x 8 inches), 158 pages, 12 plates (with 78 illustrations).


Have you ever wondered how watches used to be made by hand?

Although many books mention bits and pieces, up until now there has been no complete description available in English. This book contains translations of two works that describe how to make a verge watch from rough brass and steel.

The great French horologist Ferdinand Berthoud described watch making in his Essai sur l'Horlogerie, first published in 1763.

And in 1827 Jacob Auch wrote his Handbuch fur Landuhrmacher as a textbook to teach apprentices watch making.


Double-dial astronomical watch by Jacob Auch

The translations of these two works provide a fascinating insight into the tools, techniques and education of 18th century horologists.

This book is available from:

NAWCC (USA)

Antoine Simonin (Switzerland)


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