The Limited Edition Co-Axial Anniversary wristwatch
Throughout Dr. Daniels lifetime, he has been responsible for creating a collection of watches that have pushed the boundaries of mechanical timekeeping to levels hitherto unseen in English horology for more than 250 years. In designing each of his watches, Dr. Daniels’ motivation for creating his timepieces has always been horological advancement. Other than the Millennium wristwatch series, his other unique pieces were only offered for sale after Dr. Daniels was satisfied with the results of the particular aspect of timekeeping that he was examining.
In 1997, Roger Smith approached Dr. Daniels with a pocket watch that he had created entirely by following instructions from Daniels’ book ‘Watchmaking’, and for the first time, George found a student of high enough promise to take on as an apprentice. He then asked Roger to assist him with production of a new series of wristwatches. The Millennium series was launched in 1998 to celebrate the acceptance of the Co-Axial escapement by the Swiss watch industry, and were made using movements from the Omega production line of its first wristwatches containing the Co-Axial escapement. George Daniels and Roger Smith worked together for 3 years until the Millennium series was complete, following which Roger started his own workshop just down the road.
A few years later, in 2010, Dr. Daniels’ desire turned to the creation of a further series, this time utilising his own design of hand made English movement, produced in-house on the Isle of Man, and more in line with his hand-made philosophy. With this in mind, he approached Roger Smith with a proposal and so, 35 years after the invention of the Co-Axial, they formed a collaboration to produce the ‘Co-Axial Anniversary’ watch.
Drawing on Daniels’ unique body of work, George and Roger have worked together to create a new English caliber, which will be produced by Roger W. Smith Ltd, and cased, dialled and finished to Daniels exacting standards and classic style. It is a manually wound wristwatch with power reserve indicator, calendar mechanism and seconds dial in a style reminiscent of the appearance of the famous tourbillon chronograph pocket watch created by Dr. Daniels in 1994*. This new Co-Axial Anniversary timepiece is available in a limited Edition of 35 pieces in 18ct yellow gold, with a case diameter of 40mm, each individually numbered from 1 to 35. The price for each of the individually numbered watches is a fixed price of £142,000 excluding VAT.
Daniels’ Co-axial Anniversary wristwatch Specification
| Case diameter: | 40mm |
|---|---|
| Case material: | 18 carat yellow gold - hallmarked in London with GD makers mark. Hand engine turned silver dial with inlaid 18 carat yellow gold chapters, signed Daniels. |
| Hands: | Daniels signature hands in yellow gold. |
| Movement: | Manually wound, displaying minutes, hours and seconds, fitted with a calendar and up and down mechanism. Daniels co-axial escapement and free sprung balance, signed: Daniels. |
| Movement finishing: | English style, gilded and frosted surfaces, finished to Daniels’ exacting standards. |
| Strap: | Supplied with one black and one tan alligator strap |
| Buckle: | 118 carat yellow gold deployment clasp - hallmarked in London with GD makers mark. |
| Box: | Co-Axial Anniversary presentation box. |
| Lettering and numbering: | Hand engraved throughout. |
An additional 16 watches, created in 4 sets, comprising 4 watches each in 18 carat yellow, red, white gold and platinum will also be created separately as a special request item.
George exhibited the visual prototype of the Anniversary watch at SalonQP in November 2010 where it was the highlight of the show, and he has since been designing the movement. The working prototype will be completed in October, and will be exhibited at the SalonQP event at the Saatchi Gallery on 10-12 November 2011. More details about the features of this watch will be released at that time, and the first watches will be delivered towards the end of the year.
Dr. Daniels’ work, although only produced in tiny numbers, has become widely known and revered, and the Isle of Man is now renowned as a centre of horological excellence. To own George Daniels’ work is to possess something exceptional and unique due to its horological distinction and artful execution. His timepieces have become extremely precious and rare items.
An example of Dr. Daniels’ work can be viewed at the British Museum as well as the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers Museum in London, and the Beyer Museum in Switzerland.
Please feel free to contact us at anytime if you should have any further questions.
Caroline Smith, Roger W. Smith Ltd., PO Box 67, Ramsey, Isle of Man, British Isles IM99 4LN- Phone: +44-(0)1624-897-943
- Email: rogersmith@rwsmithwatches.com
- Web: http://www.rwsmithwatches.com