Wristwatches: A Connoisseur's Guide.(Brief Article)

After a brief history of watchmaking and tips on recognizing quality, Edwards offers alphabetically arranged essays on 55 of the most prestigious wristwatch makers. The sumptuous full-color photographs are advertisement-quality, and sometimes the text reads like a sales catalog, although no prices are given. Still, there is enough information to spark interest in would-be collectors, and a helpful glossary will help those researching single pieces they inherited.

The volume on costume jewelry is one of those "introductions to appreciation" that is so well written and produced that it may very well inspire people to take a second took at their …