In this stunning addition to the Assouline series, British historian Nicholas Foulkes has selected the 100 pioneering timepieces of the 20th century, balancing the virtues of rarity, preciousness, innovative features, historical importance, grand provenance and pleasing design. The watch - a microcosm of hundreds of tiny components working harmoniously together and bound in a case of precious metal - has the power to evoke emotions, spark the imagination and inspire the same passion as great art. Beautiful timepieces invite us to participate in a story, and the story these 100 examples reveal is that of one of the most exciting and dynamic periods in human history.

These miniature machines reflect the incredible technological advances and social changes of the last century, from the invention of the aeroplane to the impact of two world wars to the advent of space exploration and the dawn of the digital age. With illustrious names such as Audemars Piguet, Blancpain, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Patek Philippe, Rolex and Tag Heuer, these 100 timepieces include the 1915 Omega Lawrence of Arabia pilot chronograph, the 1962 Breitling Cosmonaute and the 1985 Ulysse Nardin Astrolabium. This hand-bound oversized deluxe edition features hand-knotted illustrations and comes in a linen case.

The Impossible Collection of Watches is written in English, has 144 pages and measures W 39.3 x L 47 x D 7 cm.