Atria Books
A Grand Complication, the Race to Build the Most Legendary Watch
A narrative history of two rivals chasing the most remarkable watch ever made.
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Where it ranks in our guides
A medal marks a podium; the score on the right is the product’s score for that recipient.Scores by criterion
Our verdict
77 / 100It brings the world of watches to someone who prefers a real story over specs. The rivalry between two Gilded Age collectors gives it a plot, which makes it suit both watch fans and history readers.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the two men in the story?
James Ward Packard of Warren, Ohio, and Henry Graves Jr., of New York society.
Is it a picture book?
No, it is narrative nonfiction.
Who publishes it?
Atria Books.
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How we score
The CTG score out of 100 is the weighted average of five criteria rated for every product: proven reliability (36%), perceived value (18%), bond and memory (18%), originality (14%) and novelty (14%). Each criterion has its own published scale, identical for every product: it rates generously, because every product in our selection is already good. The score does not depend on the guide. 60 to 69: average gift. 70 to 77: good pick. 78 to 85: safe bet. 86 to 89: favorite. 90 and above: the perfect gift, a label reserved for excellent products that customers like, one winner per occasion. In a guide, the score for the recipient combines this score with the place in the ranking. The budget is an indicative range: the exact price is shown by the store at checkout. Read our full selection method →