Roger Smith Daniels Anniversary & Series 2 BaselWorld 2012

Key Points from the Discussion

• Roger Smith and his three artisans craft nearly every component in-house on the Isle of Man, a stark contrast to many independent watchmakers who outsource parts, which contributes to the watches' high value.
• The premium for a Roger Smith watch is not solely due to his apprenticeship with George Daniels, but also reflects his commitment to Daniels' unique, almost entirely handmade watchmaking method, which differs significantly from Swiss industrial practices.
• Despite the high prices, Roger Smith's watches are considered 'downright cheap' in the context of the immense personal sacrifices and costs involved in producing nearly every part without external infrastructure.
• A collector acknowledges the high price point of Roger Smith watches compared to other top independents like Dufour and Voutilainen, yet still considers them among the most desirable new independent watches.
• The streamlined balance cock seen in Roger Smith's watches, and later in Kari Voutilainen's Observatoires, has historical roots in George Daniels' work, appearing in his watches as early as 1970.
• Roger Smith's customer for the Series 2 Open Face specifically requested a wider minute ring, indicating a degree of customization available for these highly exclusive pieces.