Beyond style, Smith is very much a man of substance occupying much of his time spent on research with advancing the practical limits of the Co-Axial escapement by way of his reductive approach towards the design of the escape wheel. Since 2001, Smith produced wristwatches under his own name, and like the first generation of contemporary artisanal watchmakers, very much in the style of Daniels and Breguet before him. Smith not only learnt the skill of making a watch by hand from Daniels but also inherited the Daniels mantle of English watchmaking – quite literally, as Smith now works out of Daniels’ workshop on the Isle of Man. Paul Getty Museum comprises Greek, Roman, and Etruscan art from the Neolithic to Late Antiquity European art from the Middle Ages. After which he was largely responsible for the development, construction and production of the Daniels Anniversary watch launched in 2010 and which a decade later, is witnessing its last watches in the process of being delivered. Having been hand-picked as an apprentice of the famously prickly Daniels in 1997 – Daniels had rejected all apprentices before - Smith was instrumental in helping Daniels complete the Millennium series of watches powered by Omega’s Co-Axial movements, a three-year project that ended in 2001. Daniels’ legacy, however, lives on in Dr Roger W. Prior to the auction an exclusive profile was filmed with Roger in which he shared the story of the unique Anniversary Watch collaboration with George Daniels which you can view here.All of the gentleman who were crucial figures in late 20th century independent watchmaking are no longer with us only their timepieces remain. I think, like any watchmaker, my focus is always on my horological work, but it is tremendous to see that our watches represent such a strong investment for our collectors as well.”Ī donation from the sale will also benefit The George Daniels Educational Trust, The Alliance of British Watch and Clock Makers, and the Horological Society of New York. Extremely rare, this Open Dial watch from 2017 was one of only four platinum pieces made by Roger in a series of 12 watches.Ĭommenting on the results, Roger said “As ever, I take a keen interest when any of our watches reach auction and it is extremely gratifying to see this continued growth in appreciation and value for independent watchmakers. Smith Series 5 ‘Open Dial’ was another history-making highlight of the auction, achieving a hammer price of $840,700 (£686,604). Smith Series 5 ‘Open Dial’Ī magnificent example of a Roger W. With huge global interest in independent watchmakers it was no surprise that this beautiful example of the Anniversary, made by Roger in 2019, should set a new milestone both for Daniels and British watches. With just four examples produced in platinum and serial number “00” being the first, the watch is an exemplar of the best in handmade, traditional English watchmaking. ![]() Poignantly, this series proved to be the final collaboration between Roger and George who wanted the Anniversary model to also be a celebration of his life’s work. The Anniversary watch series comprised a total of 47 watches which were made to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the co-axial escapement. Leading the auction was the very first platinum George Daniels Anniversary Watch ever made, bearing the unique serial number “00.” Realising $2,389,500 (£1,951,299) it set a record, not just for any George Daniels wristwatch – and any British-made wristwatch – sold at auction. Smith Series 2 wristwatch But three and a half centuries ago, when accurate time was essential for maritime navigation, accomplishing consistent good timekeeping despite rough seas in particular was one of the most important questions of the day, known as the problem of. Smith watches has continued with these latest records being set at Phillips’ New York headquarters on 11th/12th June. The balance wheel and hairspring inside a modern day Roger W. ![]() The exponential rise in interest and value for George Daniels and Roger W. NEW YORK CITY 11/12TH JUNE 2022 - As highlights of a “White Glove” season, the historic auction included new World Record prices - outright for a British wristwatch ($2,389,500) and also for a Roger W.
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