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A wonderful post, thank you Andrew
I always enjoy seeing inside the workshops like this - a chance to peek behind the curtain.
Interesting to see what look like red and white Omega material packages in the one of the workbench photos. The photograph above the tin of discarded parts.
Perhaps a slightly unexpected thing to see in the workshop of a man famed for making every part from scratch, though I imagine they were used in the millennium watches which I understand were built using ebauches supplied by Omega.
English watches that remain 'Man - made': Interviewing Roger Smith and George Daniels.
English watches that remain 'Man - made': Interviewing Roger Smith and George Daniels. [George Daniels and Roger Smith at work in Daniel's workshop] At the time of the tea salons of London being the hive of business and academic endeavour, the area around...
purists.
I had the pleasure of meeting Roger Smith a couple of years ago in Singapore. His passion and knowledge was so apparent to me that it really sparked my interest in learning more about independent watchmakers. Sadly, I was (and sometimes continue to be) to...
Many thanks for the kind words - a Series 2 is worth the
wait for the reason that it is created for you. Talk to Roger, if there are changes, or differences you want incorporated, he will certainly hear you out. Even though I do not have pictures of it, there is also a Series 2 with no dial. Looks fantastic. Go...
Bravo! Fantastic article Andrew.
A great insight into Daniels and Smith with great photography. Not enough shots with the fish eye lens though, hard to tell it's an AndrewH work without them. ;-) - SJX
Thanks SJX - tried to fit more
photos with the fisheye in the article - but alas, it did not work. Andrew H
Thanks Alex - yes, they are dream watches in every sense. Was something
of a dream just being there.... Andrew H
What a fantastic report...
Thanks for taking the time to put all of this down on "paper" for us! A
Wonderful article, fantastic photography
I deeply envy you 219, I would give a limb to meet these gentlemen and speak with them. I may someday meet Rodger, but Mr. Daniels I fear I will not. Like F.P. Journe and so many other unnamed folk, myself in the unnamed category, we poured over and learn...
Thank you for your kind words - I am sure George and Roger
will be interested to know the regard with which their watchmaking is held across the world. Thank you for leaving a note. Trust me when I say that I felt fortunate and lucky to be invited to talk to both Roger and George. It was a fantastic weekend on th...
Workshop is too neat....?
Thanks Andrew for the interviews. Brings a tear to my eye with the best of British pride. But, Master Daniels's workshop looks too neat. As I recall, it was messier in years gone by! MTF
Probably Roger's influence. That said, there were parts of the
work bench that were a lot more 'busy' than the one I photographed. Some gems for the watchmaking world that I will not mention here. Andrew H
Thank you
A fantastic post. George Daniels and Roger Smith are two of my favorite watchmakers. Definitely a post to bookmark.
Thanks Andrew...
an Ode to the work of two Englishmen. Great pictures too. George Daniels with his books has been an inspiration for many, myself included. Roger had the luck to be the one who got to work the closest with him. Now he is honouring his tradition. Bravo! Don
Thanks Felipe - great to see you here. I think you were
at the FPJ dinner in London? Douglas said he was on the list but could not go. So, with one of the very first Series 2, when are you adding a Daniels to your collection? Andrew H
The stuff that dreams are made of
In its purest form...... This is one of the nicest posts I have read in the 6 years I Have frequented this forum. Thank you! I will return and read it again many times and enjoy your wonderful photographs and touching report of the greatest watchmaker ali...
Thanks Christian - appreciate the kind words. Truly a pleasure to
meet both gentlemen. Thanks for leaving a note. Andrew H
Superb effort, Andrew...
The writing, the photography, the whole plot....fantastic work.
The complements are much appreciated. Mostly my work
was a reflection of Roger's and George's. Unique watches and unique individuals. Andrew H
I have a little request here.
Could kindly any of you stop bothering Mr. Smith so he can start working on my watch? Why I couldn't see as what you saw when I traveled there? Nice pictures and superbly written report..... so I must forgive you for bothering Mr. Smith . cen@jkt
Believe me when I say that Mr Smith is hard at work on
your watch, and everyone else's for that matter. Even Mr Smith is allowed the odd day off, and he used that day to help show me around the Isle and chat with George. It will all be worth it when you have that Roger Smith strapped to your wrist! Thanks for...
reading your article made me dream
that I was there with George Daniels and Roger Smith and we talked about the co-axial escapement and watches from past and future of both. it was a great dream.
A dream like place... it was a wonderful time sitting around
chatting with Roger and George. Hopefully that was conveyed in the article. Glad you enjoyed the read Andrew H
Fantastic Article!!! Thank you - Questions about Journe.....
This was a great read and pictures to match! One of the best posts on the purists in some time! So, its just irking me........ Journe and this George Daniels Mentor thing...... Can someone confirm yes or no to the following? 1. Did Journe ever study with ...
I think the answers to the quesions 1 through 4 is no! Question
5 I dont know. I think that George was something of a mentor in the french translation. George showed that you could go alone, be independent, and survive as a watchmaker. As we go through life there are role models for each and everyone of us. Some are d...
This post is absolute PPro Anthology
as well as lesson in philosophy, watchmaking and human tenacity toped with leitmotif of importance to be true to yourself no matter what I enjoyed reading it tremendously Salute Mr. Daniels & Smith Thank you from all my heart Andrew Damian
Pleasure Damian - glad you enjoyed reading the article as much
as I enjoyed writing it. Andrew H
Great article...
...great photos... ...Great watchmakers! Thanks, 219 ! Met Roger Smith at Basel this year, and what a humble gentleman he is. Have read many articles and books by George Daniels, would love to meet him too one day!
Great post, Andrew!
I loved reading it! I have a lot of admiration for both men, and feel RWS' watches are very much to my taste. It is always a pleasure to see people taking pride in upholding the positive traditions of their homeland, in this case "English" type watches. B...
Thanks Daos - yes some English pride in the watches that Roger and George
produce and have produced. If it was not for them, this quintessential English style might be consigned to the horological history books. Thanks for reading Andrew H
Thanks Douglas - good to see you here. Thought any more about
the watch in question?? Cheers Andrew H
Yeah - it gets like that when there is that annoying thought
in the back of your mind. Good luck Andrew H
Thank you for your lovely report...............
It was nice to read about two of Britains finest watchmakers.
George Daniels showed that the mechanical watch could
survive, that the single watchmaker could exist as a manufacturer by themselves, and I think Journe must have taken inspiration from that. Andrew H
A wonderful post, thank you Andrew
I always enjoy seeing inside the workshops like this - a chance to peek behind the curtain. Interesting to see what look like red and white Omega material packages in the one of the workbench photos. The photograph above the tin of discarded parts. Perhap...
Good eyes - yes they are Omega tags and probably left over
from the Millenium series. Thanks for reading Andrew H
What are they wearing?
Hi Andrew In the 9th picture where you see Daniels and Smith, it looks like Daniels is wearing two watches on the same wrist??? I tried to zoom inbut the resoultion made it not possible to see? Is it just an illusion and what is he wearing? Smith seems to...
Well the Daniels watches are the Journe and the, well,
the Daniels Millenium in the pictures. Roger's everyday watch is not one of his own, but from a watch company set up in London last century. I think that is about as much as I can say! Thanks for reading Andrew H
LOL
Thanks Andrew for your reply Amusing how Daniels wears both on one wrist - but he is THE MAN and can get away with it in style Also interesting that that the other "mr handmade" ;-) wears a watch that has become a completely industrialised product as his ...
I know a few independent watch makers and I cannot
think of one who does not highly rank the watch with the crown! And some even own one or two - including GD! Andrew H
What an incredible experience!
Thank you so much for the beautiful post. The opportunity to spend time with these two, especially in the workshop itself, is as good as it gets in this wonderful hobby. Thank you for bringing us with you!
It was an incredible experience - and a very
enjoyable one. Hopefully that came out in the description. Thanks for reading. Andrew H
excellent article
It is very rewarding to learn of men who are still artisans and working to produce devices like these. It gives me hope that all is not lost.
Many thanks - you should try and get to see the watches for
yourself - they are wonderous things to behold. Andrew H
never been a big fan..until now
thks fr sharing...and your references to Adam Smith is just excellent!!
Many thanks - I am an economist by trade, and Adam Smith
was required bedtime reading for all of us! Became fascinated with the arguments and Hume's theories for the state of human action. With the philosophy and manufacture of Smith and Daniel's watches being from the same era, it seemed appropriate to couch t...