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It goes without saying if you read worn&wound, then you enjoy reading about watches. And if you like reading articles on the internet, you likely also have an affection for well produced books, with good photography and interesting copy. Well, I happen to have stumbled upon a Kickstarter campaign for a series of books that caught my attention, and I think will catch yours too.
American Wristwatches, The Art Deco Series is a collection of 3 books focused on, as you likely have guessed, American watch manufacturing in the 1920’s and 30’s. Book One, which has already been completed, focuses on the Hamilton Watch Company. Book Two, which you can help fund, will focus on the Illinois Watch Company and the third will be a collection of other brands from the era, such as Elgin, Bulova, Gruen, Waltham, etc…
What’s great about these books is rather than being a series of wordy tomes on the histories of the brands, they are focused on photography and layout, examining many watches from all angles, and presenting relevant information about the time period along side. The books are further fleshed out with pertinent articles, timelines and advertisements from the period. It was the goal of the series’ creator and the host of kickstarter campaign, Ty Rulli, to not only explore the watches, but also give you a sense of the people who wore them and the time they lived. Having seen a digital copy of Book One, Hamilton, I can say it is easily one of the cleanest and most attractive presentations of watches I have seen in print.
So, Ty Rulli and his company, Kenji Studios, are seeking $75,000 in backing to produce, print and advertise Book Two, Illinois Watch Company, with any overage going to Book Three. Pledges range from $15 to $5,000 and include everything from tutorials on collecting vintage watches to your name in the books to owning a watch featured in the books. Naturally, many of the packages also include the books themselves. So, if you like watches, the Art Deco period, gorgeous watch photography and are in need of some great watch books for your library or coffee table, head on over to kickstarter and give this project your support!
Images courtesy of Ty Rulli and Kenji Studios
by Zach Weiss
