Roger Smith's Series 2

Introduction Two years after launching his Series 1 wristwatch, Roger Smith nears completion of his Series 2 prototype. The Series 1 and 2 wristwatches have great similarities, but are at the same time significantly different. They are alike in their method of construction and guiding philosophy, which is to meet the high standards one expects from an individually handcrafted watch and to put the "making" back into English watchmaking. The differences are found in how the similarities manifest themselves in the Series 2, with changes in shape, quantity and escapement. Concept Following the basic philosophy mentioned above, Roger wanted to create a movement that any watchmaker would be happy to see on their bench. Recollecting on his days as a repairer he thought of a movement that embodied his own philosophy and could inspire his own construction. "In my view the finest of these movements were the Omega 30mm's. They were superbly proportioned and for a production movement there were no short corners in the quality of construction. Because of these qualities worn components were rare and servicing was a pleasure with the disassembly and particularly assembly being simple with the movements virtually falling together." With the basic framework set, the Series 2 movement is being fine-tuned and designed completely around the Daniels co-axial escapement to exploit its benefits yet further. Another point of consideration was the future of the Series 2 movement. The movement will be the base movement for all round RW Smith watches and thus must be constructed in a way to accept further planned complications, such as an annual calendar and chronograph mechanism. To this end, a significant investment in machinery is being made so this watch can be put into production. And, once realized, the Series 2 will be the first English movement to be produced in the UK in nearly half a century. Making As with all RW Smith series watches, Series 2 will be made in-house, with the exception of gears, jewels, hairspring and mainspring, which will be sourced from high quality suppliers in Switzerland. The plates, bridges and cocks will be shaped, frosted and gilded in the English tradition, with gold chatons held in place by heat treated blued screws Having worked alongside George Daniels on the Millennium wristwatch project for three years provided Roger with a unique insight into the theory of the escapement, as well as practical experience that demonstrated the co-axial escapement can more than cope with the rigours of wristwatch life. From that experience Roger has decided that all future RW Smith watches will be fitted with the Daniels co-axial escapement. To fulfill this desire the necessary equipment has been purchased to allow the Daniels co-axial escapement to be fabricated in-house, i.e., the co-axial escape wheels, the lever and the balance. The Daniels co-axial escapement has taken several forms since its creation. Roger has decided to use George Daniels' original design, which is found in his early pocket watches. This version uses two escape wheels fixed to an arbor (co-axial), with a standard pinion, as opposed to the later "extra flat" version that is found in later Daniels' watches and as adopted by Omega. This "extra flat" version uses an extra wheel in the going train that engages a multi-purpose pinion/impulse wheel which sits co-axially on an arbor with the other escape wheel. The proportions of Daniels' original co-axial design, the movement's construction and lower oscillating frequency should produce a very stable rate. While there is a group of watchmakers who make their own movements, there is only a small handful of watchmakers who not only make their own movements, but also fabricate their own cases, dials and hands. Roger Smith is part of that small handful. Following the traditions of eminent makers such as Breguet, and the English makers James Fergusson Cole, Jump and George Daniels, he uses engine turning to make his dials. With a straight line and rose engine, silver or gold is fashioned into a dial that has a quality all of its own. That is, the manner in which the material is removed when engine turning is not only different but is superior in appearance to those of stamped and milled "engine turned" dials. The numerals and lettering on the dials are hand engraved by a specialist. The hands are sawed and filed from either steel or gold, which not only meets an aesthetic requirement but also a larger philosophical one. "These qualities are essential in a watch, particularly if the long term appearance is to be maintained. In 25, 50 or even 100 years time any natural deterioration in the condition of the dial and hands can be brought back to the condition in which the watch originally left the workshop." The careful selection of proven and available materials and methods ensures longevity, as any skilled watchmaker will be able to restore his work to the original vision of the maker. Indeed, properly serviced, a RW Smith watch will go indefinitely. Details The Series 2, unlike Series 1 which was limited to 12 watches, will be an on going, numbered series. The movement is still in the prototype phase and will be completed in time for Basel 2005 with the production watches expected to leave the workshop towards the end that year. Potential purchasers will have their choice of various dials (silver or gold engine turned), hands (gold or blued steel) and case (yellow, rose or white gold) combinations. The manually wound, free sprung, 30mm movement is housed in a round 37mm case, with a power reserve indicator and engine turned dial, which is signed RW Smith. The Series 2 wristwatch will be presented in a handcrafted box made by noted English furniture maker and designer, Linley. Orders are now being accepted for the Series 2 watches. To secure a specific numbered watch a deposit of £5,000.00 will be required. Once the final development costs of the unique Daniels co-axial escapement, movement and material costs have been completed and determined, the final price will be confirmed and available upon request . At the moment, Series 2 is expected to be in the region of £30,000.00 and £35,000.00, excluding VAT. Roger Smith will be exhibiting his work, including Series 2 (in progress prototype), for the first time at The Hour Glass' Tempus celebration and ThePuristS.com's IGOTT, which is being held in Singapore the last week of August. *Personal Note: I would like to thank Roger Smith for his support of this forum and allowing ThePuristS.com to be the first media outlet (any form of media) to publish pictures and materials of his Series 2 wristwatch. Thank you! AHCI discussion forum | ThePuristS Homepage Comments, suggestions, and corrections to this article are welcomed. Please e-mail comments or sign the guestbook. Copyright August 2004 - Mr. Curtis D Thomson and ThePuristS.com - all rights reserved Pictures and drawings provided by Roger Smith.