The Beauty of Time

Published in partnership with the prestigious Fondation Internationale de la Haute Horlogerie, this book presents the most beautiful timepieces from the Middle Ages to the present.

Lavishly illustrated, The Beauty of Time contains a selection of nearly two hundred wonders—from mechanical and pendulum clocks to pocket and wristwatches. The timepieces are annotated by an expert horology historian and accompanied by a text that elucidates the cultural and artistic contexts in which they were created. As a counterpoint to the timepieces, extensive reproductions of artistic masterpieces provide perspective regarding the technical advances of each period and demonstrate the evolution of aesthetic tastes over time.

This unique book, an homage to a single instrument—so often conceived as a work of art—is intended as much for horology enthusiasts as for art and decorative-arts aficionados, history lovers, and collectors.

François Chaille is passionate about art history, fashion, jewelry, and horology. He has published over a dozen works with Flammarion, including Cartier: Creative Writing, the three volumes of The Cartier Collection (Jewelry, Timepieces, and Precious Objects), Audemars Piguet: Master Watchmaker Since 1875, and Girard-Perregaux. A historian and expert on fine watchmaking, Dominique Fléchon is the author of many specialist works, including The Secrets of Vacheron Constantin and The Mastery of Time, both published by Flammarion. Franco Cologni is the author of numerous books, including The Cartier Tank Watch (Flammarion, 2017).