Great Men and The Watches They Wore: This Book is a Work of Art

What do Paul Newman, Mario Andretti, and Constantine the First have in common?

All were great men who wore great watches. Watches that reflected their style and their passions, and when examined with care, reveal new insights into who they were.

That’s the subject of “A Man and His Watch,” a new coffee-table history from Matt Hranek, men’s style editor at Conde Nast Traveler and a confirmed watch fanatic.

The book is a blend of historical anecdotes and personal stories from great watch-wearing, watch-loving guys and expert commentary on the history of timepiece design from Hranek, who secured access to the archives of Omega, Zenith, Hermes, Tag Hauer, and others to dig up great stories seldom told.

The Man (or Men) of the book’s title are a who’s who of cultural luminaries, including Ralph Lauren, Andy Warhol, Franklin D Roosevelt, Sir Edmund Hillary, and Steve McQueen, as well as a host of less famous but equally interesting characters.

Their stories speak of our collective passion for watches, and reveal the deeply personal side of a timepiece – many of the watches in the book were passed to their owner by a father, grandfather, or important colleague or role model. Hranek does a great job of unearthing the very human aspect of being – for want of a better term – a “watch guy.”

The photographs are stunning, too. They present each watch with honesty, showing the scuffs, dings, and timeless design in each. These are watches worn by men who did things, and it shows.

“A Man and His Watch” makes a great gift, whether it’s for a fellow watch lover or something to put on your list. The images draw you in and the fascinating stories keep you reading. Pick up a copy of “A Man and His Watch” on Amazon.

Click here to pick it up on Amazon

This post may contain affiliate links, read about our editorial promise
Stillman Brown

Stillman Brown is a writer and TV producer who has created prime time content for National Geographic, Discovery, Travel Channel and many others. His interests span science & the natural world, personal growth, and food. He lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma.