big daddy
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RGM: Look What just arrived!!!
The United States Postal Service just delivered to me a much anticipated birthday present.......
Could it be a new RGM I ordered 6 months ago!.......
I think it is! Let's peer inside.......
Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me.......! A beautiful presentation that has silicon "feet" to serve as a worthy display case.
But let me not get ahead of myself and remind you of a story I told earlier on two posts dated February 13, 2009 on PuristS about a visit my daughter and I made to RGM in Mt. Holly, Pennsylvania. After a very nice 4 hours spent looking at Roland Murphy's atelier, watching demonstrations, and asking a lot of questions I knew I had to own one, particularly with the prototype 801 American made caliber RGM had designed and built that was undergoing testing as I visited. The problem I had after viewing all the different designs RGM presents to the watch buying public and the custom designs for people, such as I, was choosing my case design.
Then came GTE this past January and our esteemed Don Courson's report dated January 21, 2011. I saw the case in that report I wanted....not the Pennsylvania Tourbillion but the next one in his report. That partially skeletonized dial with the coin edge case was the one I loved!
My next call was to Roland and his chief designer, Richard Baugh, to ask if I could keep the basic design with the same engine turning on the dial and the same cotes de Geneve, anglage, and perlage on the movement viewed through the case back. But I wanted higher contrast and asked to have the interior portion of the dial in gold, not rhodium, and the reverse of the movement in both rhodium but primarily gold. I then asked for a gold keystone crown instead of stainless steel and although Roland had never done that before, he relented, and the crown is now 14k solid gold with a keystone insignia. For those of you who are not familiar with the keystone that is a state symbol of Pennsylvania! I then asked for serial number, 052, as my other custom watches have the same serial number. It is my birth year.
Roland and Rich were so kind to take some photographs of the build so I hope you enjoy them, my fellow PuristS!
This is Model #PS 801 ES. The dial is rose engine turned and partially skeletonized with Roman numeral indices. The hands denote hours, minutes, and sub seconds and are brequet style blued steel. The crown is 14k solid gold with a keystone insignia. The strap is black alligator with a signed RGM stainless steel buckle (I have another brown alligator strap on order).
The case is American made polished stainless steel, 43.3mm X 12.3mm. The crystal is of sapphire as is the expansive display back. The weight is approximately 2.8 grams.
The caliber is RGM's American made caliber 801 (the address of RGM is 801 Main Street). The caliber has 19 jewels, 18,000 vph, rhodium and gold finished in Circular Cote de Geneve, perlage and anglage. It has a special 7 tooth winding click. I may add after the watch's shear beauty the one surprise I experienced was the ease and smoothness of the winding....truly as good as I have experienced on any watch I own or have wound.
So far, the rate results have been very good. After 4 days after being set with my atomic clock it still shows the same hours and minutes.
Trully, I am impressed. It is a functional, easy to read watch that keeps time well. Roland and his team have created a wonderfully beautiful movement and is a pleasure to watch as much as possible through a large display back and skeletonized (partially) dial. The finishing is as good as watches I own at 3 times the price I paid. Truly it is an exceptional piece and a great value. I think of it as an American piece of art!
RGM: Look What just arrived!!!
The United States Postal Service just delivered to me a much anticipated birthday present....... Could it be a new RGM I ordered 6 months ago!....... I think it is! Let's peer inside....... Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me.......! A beautiful pr...
what a beauty
and great report. Thanks! I hope you will enjoy it to the full. Andreas
What a birthday !
And what a nice RGM. I always liked their style and being able to put some personal touches to it makes it offcourse even better. I do like the idea of the gold crown on this one, from any angle it looks very well balanced ... very clever. Enjoy your birt...
Lend Belgium Some Money!
According to an article in the Wall Street Journal yesterday Belgium is worse off than the U.S., which by the way is not doing too good! Lend them some money and quite driving that Clio 200 so fast!
Thank you, Don!
As you probably know, your post on RGM at GTE inspired this purchase. I had committed to Roland but I just could not get comfortable with the case but when I saw your post of the new coin edge case Roland had made in the USA, I had to place the order! Eve...
Happy birthday, indeed!
That's a lovely example of watchmaking, and I do love that it's American-made. The RGM engine turning is very lovely! Have a fantastic birthday and enjoy your new beauty! Cheers, Daos
Glad you Like It.
Thanks, Daos! Enjoyed meeting you and spending time with you at IGOTT2.
Likewise!
It was wonderful to spend time with you and your wife at IGOTT! I hope our paths cross again. It's always great to meet fellow PuristS face to face! Cheers, Daos
Best birthday present!
Belated Happy Birthday and congrats on such a gorgeous RGM! I always liked their guilloche.
Happy belated birthday
You know we need to find time to get together again before the next IGOTT... I'll bring the lobsters, you bring your red Italian race car! Please say hello to Mrs. Big daddy Best, Mike
that is just a stunner Laurens and well worth the wait.
a birthday present you'll remember for years to come. good choice Graham
Thanks, Graham. I agree with...
Thanks, Graham. I agree with you and it still stuns me as I am looking at it on my wrist right now. RGM has hit "the nail on the head"! Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2011 12:12:47 -0700