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Rating: 
Summary: New to Hobby - Good Book
Review: I am new to the hobby of horology and enjoy owning this book. It provides a lot of detail and good photos of all the major brands (the competing buying guides leave out some significant brands). Well done and worth buying BEFORE you spend 30 times its price (or more!) on a watch. See the different styles and open your eyes. Take the TIME to appreciate it!
Rating:
Summary: A great resource
Review: I've bought each issue since I got interested in watches in 2000, even though the contents change very little from year to year. Another shortcoming of the annual is that the price information is neither complete nor accurate - you can usually get significant discounts on many of the watches featured. Nevertheless, it is great fun just to look at, and read about watches that I can only drool over :-P
Rating: 
Summary: A Decent Resource and Yet Again a Worthwhile Purchase
Review: The Wristwatch Annual 2003 again provides watch enthusiasts with brief but useful information about the major watch manufactures throughout the world. While some of the narrative seems copied almost verbatim from previous editions, most of what is discussed remains timely and pertinent. If you have an extensive understanding of horology, this book may not be essential, because it lacks the deep, technical information for which you may be seeking. If you have absolutely no clue what the differences are between a Timex and a Patek Phillipe, this book will probably not help you, either, since such discussions are not the intent of the publisher. So, then, for whom is this book designed? Well, I find it to be most useful for the casual watch aficionado who merely wants to have a quick, compact reference containing pictures and the basic specifications (e.g., price, size, model numbers) of the current models produced by the major watch manufactures. As previous reviewers suggest, the guide is neither error-free nor is it exhaustive. I still find it well worth the cost, however, because I have yet to come across an annual reference that is better for my purposes. Also, in contrast to previous editions, I find the quality of the pictures much improved in the 2003 edition, which was a treat to see. Now I just need to start saving (though it will probably be in vain) for that 1950 Panerai reissue on pp. 272-273 that is now the object of my lust and the cause of my insomnia.
Rating:
Summary: Indispensable for the watch collector!
Review: This is a great guide to learn your way around the fascinating World of watch collecting! This book includes all the "major" players in the watch industry - but unfortunately, it does not include some of the smaller "houses" (i.e. manufacturers). I was surprised to read that it included some non-European makers like some from the USA. One thing I noticed is that the book has several errors, just try matching some of the photos with the descriptions provided and you'll see what I mean! For the publishers and editors: get some quality control, pleeeaaasse! I recommend it for the beginner and the advance watch collectors. And yes, I do agree with another reviewer, there's no such thing as too many watches! :-)
Rating:
Summary: The Bible of the Watch Industry, The Best tool available
Review: This is an excellent tool if your a collector, admirer, in the biz or anyone considering a watch purchase. An incredible reference tool, great in helping one narrow down their likes and dislikes...my 3rd year in a row. There are a couple of others...however this one is the most objective and useful.
Rating: 
Summary: Ho-hum, not much different than prior years
Review: This year is much like last, with few new models and the same "puff piece" descriptions of the companies. They still don't give much info; for instance, the dial is never described. Watches International manages to include far more information on the pieces, though no prices and fewer brands. Nevertheless, Wristwatch Annual 2004 does give prices this year and also includes model numbers, unlike last year. If you're a watch newbie, this is a MUST for learning about the brands and models. If you're a watchaholic like me, you will undoubtedly order this volume anyway, but don't expect much reading pleasure. The market remains wide open for someone to step up and do a comprehensive annual catalogue.
Rating:
Summary: Ho-hum, not much different than prior years
Review: This year is much like last, with few new models and the same "puff piece" descriptions of the companies. They still don't give much info; for instance, the dial is never described. Watches International manages to include far more information on the pieces, though no prices and fewer brands. Nevertheless, Wristwatch Annual 2004 does give prices this year and also includes model numbers, unlike last year. If you're a watch newbie, this is a MUST for learning about the brands and models. If you're a watchaholic like me, you will undoubtedly order this volume anyway, but don't expect much reading pleasure. The market remains wide open for someone to step up and do a comprehensive annual catalogue.
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