Curtis for David Lou
1564
News from Roger Smith
Hi guys,
Roger has been good enough to keep us current with the following document. As you will read, Roger has been quite busy with multiple projects, so it is with great pleasure we receive this update.
Enjoy!
Series and Commissioned Wristwatch Update
5th April 2004
Series 1
With the assistance of Andrew Jones, my first series of wristwatches, Series 1, is nearing completion.
I have recently started development work on the co-axial escapement, which I will use in my Series 2 watches and as a result I have decided to hold back the three remaining Series 1 watches. These will be reworked with the addition of the developed Daniels co-axial escapement and a free sprung balance.
These watches will be cased in 18ct Yellow, Pink and white gold and sold as a boxed set. This set will mark the start of an ongoing and numbered series of watches.
Eight of the twelve Series 1 watches have been delivered and the ninth watch will be completed in six weeks time. The ninth watch is to be the last of the lever Series 1 watches and is available for purchase.
Series 2
The design process is progressing well and I am now making the precision tooling and jigs to assist in the making of the co-axial escapement.
The basic watch specification is as follows-
A round, English finished movement, signed RW Smith, Isle of Man
Daniels co-axial escapement
Free sprung balance
Manually wound
Power reserve indicator
Hand engraved, gilded and frosted plates
Fully jewelled with screwed in gold chatons
Silver engine turned and hand engraved dial, signed RW Smith
Choice of precious metals for dials, hands and cases
Choice of two dial designs
There will be the choice of two dial designs which means that boxed sets of three watches cased in 18ct yellow, pink and white gold will be available, with one dial design kept to each set.
When I have completed work on the Series 2 prototype a full list of images, specification and a price list for the Series 2?s, in all its combinations will be made available.
I expect the first watches to be available sometime in the second half of 2005. This series of watches will be numbered and ongoing.
Commissioned Watches
I have recently completed a tourbillon wristwatch, commissioned and designed by Dr George Daniels M.B.E.
This watch was completely handmade over a one year period, with the exception of the escapement, mainspring and balance spring.
The watches specification is as follows-
One minute tourbillon (diameter 12,2mm) fitted with a Daniels co-axial escapement and a free sprung balance
Manually wound movement, signed Daniels
Instantaneous calendar mechanism with rapid date change
18ct White gold case
Silver engine turned and hand engraved dial with applied gold batons and blued steel hands, signed Daniels London
This watch is my first handmade tourbillon wristwatch and I am now involved with several other tourbillon commissions, which will be signed RW Smith Isle of Man. These watches will be numbered.
I have attached a separate document, titled ?Commissioning a Watch?, which explains all of the processes involved in the ordering of a commissioned pocket or wristwatch.
I hope you all enjoy the images of the completed Daniels Tourbillon Co-axial wristwatch.
Roger Smith
Isle of Man
A Couple of Reference Articles
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