Compedium 01 (Christopher Ward):For fans of horology and Ken Kessler’s writing, with its trademark wicked sense of humour.
Ken Kessler’s book (above) published by Christopher Ward is a lively, insightful collection of articles that chart modern watchmaking told through the voice of one of horology’s most respected journalists. Never conventional, the book collects Kessler’s articles that are smart, witty, deeply informed and often controversial, to offer a compelling insight into the industry.
There is never a dull moment with Kessler, as he excels at weaving technical detail with storytelling and tongue-in-cheek, wise-crack humour. He demystifies complications, movements, and design choices as he charts the rise of independent makers, shifts in consumer culture, and the renewed appreciation for mechanical watches. It’s both educational and charming, offering a rare inside look at horology without lapsing into self-promotion or sycophantic adulation. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a newcomer, Kessler’s unstoppable, enthusiasm draws you in. RRP: £35.00 (hardcover), 198 pages
Buy from Christopher Ward here
Sybil and David Yurman: Artists and Jewelers (Phaidon):For collectors, design enthusiasts, and jewellery lovers,
Sybil and David Yurman: Artists and Jewelers (above) explores how an artist’s worldview can shape a global brand. The book offers a portrait of one of America’s most influential jewellery houses and shows how Yurman’s experience as a sculptor, alongside his wife and creative partner, Sybil, has shaped the brand’s aesthetic. Through photography and essays, readers gain insight into the famous Cable jewellery's evolution and the artistic philosophy behind it. The Yurmans' vision to create jewellery as wearable sculpture, with a focus on craftsmanship is explored while placing their work withing a broader artistic lineage, tracing influences from modernist sculpture, the studio-jewellery movement, and classical forms.
Archival sketches, early experiments, and behind-the-scenes imagery invite readers into the creative process, revealing how tactile exploration, material innovation, and a collaborative studio culture define the brand. RRP: £49.95 (standard hardback), 352 pages. Buy from Phaidon here
Cartier Monaco (Flammarion):For romantics, dreamers and lovers of old world glamour à la Cartier
Cartier Monaco documents the coming together of one of the most sophisticated jewellers and one of the world’s most glamorous, sun-soaked destinations. Published by Flammarion—known for producing museum-quality art books—the book (above) overlays Cartier’s storied jewellery with the opulence of Monaco, creating a narrative steeped in European history, royal patronage, and Riviera allure. Archival photographs capture Monaco’s evolution from a belle époque enclave to a modern playground of culture and luxury, with Cartier jewels serving as sparkling witnesses to that transformation.
The book explores the links between the Maison and the Principality defined by Grace Kelly’s elegance, princely commissions, red-carpet moments, and the exotic tastes of collectors drawn to Monaco’s singular blend of discretion and dazzle. The book is a jewel box of visual delight with the famous backdrop of the sparkling Riviera location. RRP: £105.00, 208 pages. Buy from Bookshop.org here
Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches (TeNeues): For fearless horologists willing to explore extreme watchmaking and lovers of bling.
Buckle up as Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches (above) is an unapologetic chronicle of a cultural phenomenon: the rise of iced-up watches in the hip-hop culture. Published by TeNeues—known for sleek, design-forward books—the volume celebrates the intersection of identity, craftsmanship, and spectacle. It documents how watches became a form of expression and status, evolving from simple timekeepers into dazzling symbols of success, resilience, and artistry.
The book showcases a wide variety of pieces: diamond-set classics, bespoke complications, blinged-up reinterpretations of industry icons, and avant-garde creations that blur the boundaries between jewellery and horology. Interviews, and behind-the-scenes imagery reveal the artisans, jewellers, and watchmakers who gave shape to this audacious aesthetic.
Whether highlighting legendary figures or emerging voices, the book underscores how hip-hop continues to transform luxury culture from the inside out. Buy here on Amazon RRP: £85–90
HANNAH MARTIN: ICONOCLAST, A JEWELLERY REBELLION (ACC Art Books):For lovers of living life on the edge, with no regrets
HANNAH MARTIN: ICONOCLAST, A JEWELLERY REBELLION is an all-embracing, immersion into one of contemporary jewellery’s most provocative voices. Hannah Martin, long celebrated for her ground-breaking, gender-fluid designs, receives a monograph worthy of her boundary-breaking vision.
Like Hannah Martin’s jewels, the book (above) is visually electric with dark, sculptural, and cinematic images mirroring the punk-infused elegance that defines Hannah Martin’s work. Through essays, interviews, and imagery, readers are invited into the turmoil of underworlds that inspire her pieces: nightlife, androgyny, mythology, eroticism, and the tension between strength and vulnerability in jewels whose architectural silhouettes feel both ancient and futuristic.
Hannah Martin’s jewels challenge conventions around power, identity, and beauty, the force of which is captured in the book which pays tribute to the power of creative risk taking. The book chronicles the work of this designer who refuses categorisation, who dares to make jewellery an act of rebellion. RRP: £40.00, 240 pages, hardback. Buy from Phaidon here
The Jewelry Book by Melanie Grant (Phaidon):A standout reference for collectors, students, and anyone who appreciates design.
The Jewelry Book is an expansive, well-informed exploration of global jewellery written by 30 of the leading jewellery experts from around the world. Edited by Melanie Grant, the 300 jewellers in this encyclopaedic snapshot of jewellery, offers a definitive guide that elevates jewellery to the cultural stature it deserves.
The eclectic array of entries ranges from historical characters, to collectors, artists, jewellers, designers and public figures and offers a view of jewellery, not just as luxury but as art, culture, and human expression.
The volume spans continents, eras, and artistic movements, creating a sweeping narrative anchored by exceptional imagery and clear, authoritative writing. Wide ranging and championing inclusivity: it spotlights both canonical masters and emerging talents, offering a panoramic view of creativity that challenges Eurocentric narratives. Grant’s curatorial approach positions jewellery as a fine art discipline, asking readers to consider craftsmanship and meaning in equal balance with beauty.
Ultimate Collector Watches (Taschen):For horology aficionados with robust book shelves
The two-volume set entitled Ultimate Collector Watches (above) , published by Taschen, celebrates the pinnacle of watch design, engineering, and exclusivity. This catalogue of exceptional watches , spans the full breadth of haute horlogerie—from vintage grails and rare prototypes to contemporary masterpieces.
The volume conveys the emotional depth of collecting and contextualizes the watches with historical insights, technical explanations, and collector narratives, revealing why certain watches ascend to mythic status. The book also provides a rare look into the psychology of collecting: the thrill of discovery, the pursuit of rarity, and the personal stories behind acquisitions. It balances reverence for tradition with recognition of modern design and independent makers, offering a comprehensive view of where watch culture has been—and where it’s headed. RRP: £750 (collector's edition, 1,000 copies) 960 pages (two-volume set), hardcover. Pre-order from Taschen here.
The Age of Grandeur by Daniela Mascetti & David Bennett (ACC Art Books):Indispensable for collectors, historians, and anyone captivated by the beauty and complexity of 19th-century jewellery and style.
The Age of Grandeur (above) is a meticulously researched survey of 19th-century jewellery, written by two of the field’s most respected scholars, Daniela Mascetti and David Bennett. These experts understand not just the objects but the historical consciousness behind them and take us on a journey of discovery. The book is intellectually rich yet warm in its tone, and visually sumptuous, offering a definitive perspective on the Classical, Romantic, and early modern aesthetics that shaped the era.
It explores the interplay of political change, industrial innovation, and artistic revivalism, situating jewellery within broader cultural movements. The authors bring decades of expertise—gleaned from auction houses, scholarship, and curatorial work—to every page. Archival images, period portraits, and technical diagrams enrich the narrative, bridging past and present. RRP: £50.00 (UK hardback). Pages / Format: 232 pages, hardcover
