Book excerpt: 'Behind a watch there are often hidden stories. Stories of those who made it and those who wore it. From the watchmaker to the diver, from the astronaut to the collector, from father to son - from buyer to thief even - a watch does not age. As it is handed on and, as it travels, from the Joux valley in Switzerland to the saleroom, from the depths of the ocean to the moon, and from the pages of a catalogue to those of this book, a watch only gains in substance.' Clément Mazarian From mechanical watches to chronographs, quartz watches to divers', Exceptional Watches will transport you through time, uncovering the histories behind the most coveted watch models. Collector Clément Mazarian of Collection Personelle tells the stories of 90 era-defining watches from the early 1900s up to the present day, each one meticulously catalogued and accompanied by a stunning image from celebrated photographer Henry Leutwyler. Illustrated technical pages clearly explain the mechanics of these timepieces, while profiles of the watches give readers insight into their cultural histories. Exceptional Watches is a treasure trove for collectors and enthusiasts alike. Featured models include: - Rolex Submariner - Swatch Moonswatch - Jaeger-Lecoultre Reverso - Cartier Santos-Dumont - TAG Heuer Monaco - Philippe Patek Calatrava - Omega Flightmaster