Time Machines is an essential exploration of the global legacy of watchmaking, moving beyond the "how" of mechanics to the "why" of cultural resonance. Editors Sean Paul Lorentzen and Blake Z. Rong present a curated selection of 100 iconic watches from 1900 to the present day, illustrating how these timepieces defined eras and captured the spirit of human innovation.

Structured chronologically, the book explores how watches have reflected technological advancements, artistic movements, and personal style. From the early 20th-century aviation watches of Cartier to the deep-sea tools of Rolex, this volume treats the wristwatch as a timeless artifact of human ingenuity.