sham1
8990
An update on my dream watch!
Two years ago I decided to place an order and leave a deposit on a RW Smith Series 2 and managed to secure the last 38mm rose gold case. Roger had decided in 2015 to focus on 40mm cases which were too large for me. I have just been informed over the last week that Roger will once again be offering a 38mm case for his entire collection apart from the Series 4 (41mm due to the movement size) and will continue producing watches in a 40mm case. The new 38mm case although similar in height (13.5mm) is more tapered and has a slimmer profile making it more wearable. Roger will be sending me drawings over the next few months.
But here is where my dilemma lies. Instead of a Series 2, I am now able to change my order to a Series 1 or even an open dial Series 2 watch which now can be made in 38mm. Which would you choose given a choice? Series 1, Series 2 or an Open Dial??!!! Thank you in advance for your feedback.
The simple yet elegant Series 1
My initial target - the Series 2. Photo borrowed from Deployant.
The very rare open dial in rose gold. You are looking at number one! They were made primarily in white gold and platinum in small numbers.
An update on my dream watch!
Two years ago I decided to place an order and leave a deposit on a RW Smith Series 2 and managed to secure the last 38mm rose gold case. Roger had decided in 2015 to focus on 40mm cases which were too large for me. I have just been informed over the last ...
I’d stick with the series 2
The series 1 looks too plain when compared against it, and the openwork somehow deprives the owner of the beautiful guilloche on that dial. I also think the power reserve on the series 2 is a very useful complication, and is really nicely incorporated int...
Gosh you are quick!! :-)
Thanks Richard. Yes I agree that the Series 1 looks too simple which is reflected on its 'reasonable' entry level price. A power reserve I also agree is a useful complication even more so than say a perpetual calendar in many instances. However, I must co...
What do you see?
sham1, The choice depends on what you "see" as Roger Smith. I am assuming you will only have one watch from him otherwise there would not be a question. Series 1 is Roger Smith at the end of apprenticeship fulfilling his mentor's insistence on hand made e...
Melvyn, you have been blessed with a very special gift!!
You have succeeded in confusing me even further with your thought provoking evaluations!! I guess the Series 2 is more arguably Roger Smith than the other two even though the Breguet 5277 has a certain likeness. ...
Thanks Will!
I am actually quite surprised by the number of replies partial to the Series 2. I guess the Open Dial would appeal to a more niche audience. I can see the beauty in both!
For me...
It would be Series 2 also. In my mind it is THE Roger Smith. I do love the open dial too, but perhaps it best for you to just get both In saying that, should my lottery numbers come up, a piece unique tourbillon from Roger..? ;p I do not envy your decisio...
Niall, your input is most appreciated
although Roger confirmed yesterday that he would be unable to take on any bespoke commissions irrespective of the amount of possible winnings from the lottery as he is pretty busy and how I wish I could afford two RW Smith watches but I would need to rob ...
Haha several banks indeed!
Can’t wait to hear your final decision, and then to see the final product! I am impatient with the waiting, but cannot imagine how you are feeling All the best, Niall
I shall be speaking to Roger
in early September with my decision. There really is no room for error here and the safe thing to do in my opinion would be stick with the Series 2. I am worried that I would get bored with an Open Dial especially as I shall be collecting this Patek in th...
Indeed, ah yes I had forgotten that one you showed us here too recently
Now even less doubt (actually I had none ), stick to the Series 2 you will not regret… Life is so simple sometimes
Thanks Mike!
Your advice is always imperative to me before I decide on a watch. Admittedly, I do not always follow it but you always make more sense and logic than most!
Not Bad . But look at the Masters of Skeleton watches : Vacheron Constantin
Have you ever seen a Skeleton Work of Art like that ? No one does better than Vacheron Constantin . ...
Not bad either but
I had to choose between a RW Smith Series 2 Open Dial and Closed Dial as an order had been placed and a deposit left two years ago. And besides, value retention is very important for me and I dare say that a RW Smith will hold its value a lot better than ...
So true Will!
This reminds me on the Moser fume dial that I bought last year and was so excited by the dial but the novelty ran out after a few months. Okay, it did not help that I wore it daily whereas if I had only worn it occasionally, I may still have the watch. Th...
I would go for the serie 2 my friend although the 1 and the openworked watches are beautiful too .
Imho the serie 2 is the best looking .
Thank you my friend!
The Series 2 is definitely more attractive than the Series 1 which although nice is competing with Voutilainen's Vingt 8 and Rexhepi's Chronometre Contemporain. In fact, one could even say that Charles Frodsham's watch is another compelling alternative. A...
Your right my friend . There all grails to me too
A Kari V or a Rexhepi R. Would be a great alternative for a RS (at least if a RS is to pricey or the wait is to long ) so what ever you pick it will be stunner 🤗. Hope i will be able to get one of these grails in the near future as well 😉🤞🏻
I have little doubt
that at least one if not all three of these grails will be in your collection in the near future!
Hey my friend ! It's good to be able to ask yourself such kind of questions...
Since you ask I'll tell you my point of view as well… and I would stick to Series 2 also like other Purists friends have suggested. It seems there is a consensus about Series 1 being beautiful but a bit too plain. A RS wioll Always be a RS Watch but if yo...
Thanks Mike for your wise words!
And there I was hoping I could save some money and opt for a Series 1 but you are absolutely right that the chances of regretting this choice in future might be high. I am one who believes that one should never settle for something if possible. Would the ...
Going against the grain here a little, I don't like the PR on the Series 2.
I don't like the postioning. "Classic" Roger Smith or not it just throws the dial off for me. Obviously for many this is not what they see and so like my beloved FPJ CB with the offset seconds hand that might irritate some, beauty is in the eye of the beh...
Finally!
A vote for the Open Dial. Thanks Jay!! I was beginning to think I had bad taste in watches. Coincidentally, yesterday I just cancelled my order for the FPJ CB. Great watch but I have to prioritise unfortunately.
We can't have em all, although sometimes we try. The CB will always be there, the RS will not.
Just to add, my choice for the openworked is down to feeling that it's a little more contemporary than the 1 or 2. I'm not a huge fan or traditional styling in general, the history to me doesn't make something beautiful. That said, in this thin air (Roger...
Thanks again Jay!
I would like to think that every RW Smith watch would enjoy good value retention due to the lengthy waiting lists. I agree though that the heart ultimately often has the deciding vote but as the purchase becomes more expensive, the brain's role becomes mo...
The original choice is always the correct one and
the Series 2 is such a gorgeous piece, a true signature model for RS
You are not in a minority Alex!
It sounds like the common sense buy if one wants a RW Smith, a watch that is identified with him. I have to early September to decide when Roger and family return from a holiday and I think it is now a straight fight between the Series 2 and the Open Dial...
This is arguably
the best advice you have ever given me Mike!! Saying that as you are a lawyer, it might be a ploy to earn some fees while defending me so that you can buy all the other Lange watches that are not yet in your collection.
My motivation was merely to see you happy.
I believe you would be happy (or happiest) if you could purchase two Smiths instead of one. Should it turn out that the only way you could do that is to rob a bank then so be it. Rob a bank. If this leads to your needing representation, and it turned out ...
You are indeed a true friend Mike!!!
Banks may not feel the same way but hey, you cannot please everyone!!! And yes, more often than not, when there is a decision to made,the easiest way out would be to buy all the alternatives but I always feel that the purchase of a watch becomes even more...
If you are this good in court
you will get me off the hook even if I robbed the Federal Reserve!!!
Mike, you don't need to!!!
Not from me anyway I would just pay your fees in the form of a watch - one platinum Cartier Tank Cintree coming your way! Ooops, did I hear you say - that was enough just for the retainer???!!! C'mon, play nice!!! ...
Me too Mike!
It seems like ages since I ordered mine and for me it will be extra special as it would also be my first (and possibly last ever!) platinum piece!
But I dare say
the watch does work!!! I get your point though - I guess it is designed for one to admire the hand made parts of the watch that would normally be covered by the guilloche dial.
Guilloche is awesome! Go series 1 or 2 with a dial for sure.
The open dial looks bad. There, I said it! While the Series 2 looks a little like the Breguet 5277, there is a reason! They are both modelled after super classic pocket watch designs going back to A.L. Breguet as well as English pocketwatch makers. So, no...
Firstly, I must congratulate you again
on the magnificent Charles Frodsham which looks like it was made to fit your wrist but unfortunately not mine when I tried it on. Thank you very much for your reply and your views on the 1,2 and Open Dial. The latter is definitely a niche offering and the...
Nice one!
A vote for simplicity. A practical choice and probably simpler to maintain too but when it comes to 3 handed watches, one is spoilt for choice as I had mentioned above. Still, a RW Smith is a RW Smith and remains something pretty special and rare. Thank y...
Not quite unfortunately!
Delivery time is now pushed back to May 2021 which is approximately four and a half years since my order date so rumours of the four to five year waiting list is not untrue. I think Roger had undertaken some bespoke work in the past but he is inundated wi...
Oh yes, he has given me a few options for the Series 2
but the introduction of his new 38mm case in almost his entire range has made me think perhaps I should consider another model. With Roger, it is always best to place an order sooner rather than later as his prices tend to be on the upward trend.
good to hear from you Ruud!
I am well thanks. Tell me what is it about the Series I that you adore?! I am most curious after hearing many say that it is too simple. But I have seen your UJ ref 8 so I believe you subscribe to simplicity as I do!
Series 1
In my honest opinion the series 1 is everything you will ever need in a watch. The finishing is of course second to none. It’s like a mullet, business in the front, party in the back 😂
Aptly put Ruud!
The addition of the power reserve to the dial and movement costs more than a FPJ Chronometre Bleu if one were to put things into perspective! Admittedly a power reserve is a useful complication in a manual winding watch but none of my watches have a power...
Thank you for your feedback!
Any particular reason why you would go for the Open Dial?! It is a conversation piece for sure!
Preference
Just personal preference, the curiosity to actually see what makes the little machine tick and to see the exquisite finishing.
Ah, I am with you there!
Before writing this post, I was definitely more partial to the Open Dial and thought that the majority here would also favour it but much to my surprise, many purists have voted for the Series 2. Saying that, I am still quite torn between the two and a de...
Tough question!
Hey Sham, Personally I would stick to the iconic one if you were going to have 1 watch, which is the Series 2. I think the Series 1 is lovely, and i love the gold hour track to match the case, but I feel in the long run you will be glad you stuck with the...
Thanks Rahul!
I think I will have little regret in the long run going for the Series 2 and I only wish I could have afford this and the Open Dial - it would be the perfect Series 2 collection!
Skip the open dial, go for a pure dial
If it was me, I would want the Series 1. If I got a Series 2 I would want the power reserve in a less awkward position "Could you just rotate it a few degrees, Roger?" I had the opportunity to handle the Open Dial version and frankly, it left me cold. The...
Thank you very much Mike for your reply and the photos!
The guilloche dial on Series 2 is indeed a work of art and is likely to stand the test of time. The Open Dial might be rarer probably because the demand of the Series 2 exceeds that of the Open Dial. There is surprisingly only a small price difference bet...
The dilemma... I would go for the open dial
In fact am on the list for an open dial (visiting RW Smith end of september to meet with him and see the studio). Did not know about possibility of 38mm as well, good news But as which series, I think it al depends of your collection. I opted for the open...
Thanks Alex for your views
I believe the new 38mm case is still in its inception stage but Roger was kind enough to inform me since I was the only customer who had ordered a watch with a 38mm case. However, I am quite sure that some who had placed an order for a 40mm case might con...
only ordered end 2017, so pick up will be somewhere in 2022 I guess
at moment all options are still open: RG, platinum,... but I tend to go for RG seeing too much steel/platinum and WG in my current collection.
On the plus side
Roger will be taking on another watch maker and might be able to deliver your watch sooner as a result. Then again, Open dials seem to have a longer waiting time, probably because he does not produce that many a year. Great choice on the rose gold - that ...
Thanks Arie!
I do like the blue/purple hands but I am not so sure about the blue/purple hour markers like the Great Britain watch. ...
Series two hands down. Though series 1 is his first foray into his own brand the series two with the power reset is artistically a magnificent Watch. Roger is such a perfectionist and having say at now his rose engine and understanding the challenge that
device presents and seeing his mastery makes the dial sheet art. I do like the open dial but have never been tempted as it is missing the dial. I understand the allure but absolutely went for the dial. Also with the series 2 you can actually get 3 differe...
Thank you very much Mitch!
Your views are most important as I know you are a huge collector and an authority of RW Smith and Daniels if I recall correctly. Yes, I think after seriously considering all the options the Open Dial is not a good long term proposition. The dial of the Se...
Thank you for your vote!
I have decided to stick with the Series 2!!! The dial as you correctly say, is too good!!!
Thanks Ip Man!!
I have decided to stick to my original Series 2 order. Just saw the film for the 5th time last week
I placed the order in November or December 2016
where a 10% deposit was left. Roger will start making the watch in early 2020 where a further payment will be required. The watch should be ready by the end of 2020. So four years would be about a fair estimate although I understand Roger will be taking o...
4 years - well worth the wait I think.
Plus it allows time to focus on other watch projects...
I actually like waiting for my watches
the longer, the better so when I received an email yesterday from Hajime Asaoka that an order today would only be delivered in 2022 or 2023, I was genuinely interested!
The series 2...
appeals more to me. I’d encourage you to stay with your first choice. Cheers!
Many thanks for your feedback!
I have decided to stick with my original choice and the watch will be ready in exactly two years time ie four years from placing the original order which is perfect for me!
Thanks Mike!
I actually am quite happy waiting as I have so many other targets currently like the Moritz Grossmann piece uniques being auctioned to commemorate the brand's 10th anniversary. ...
Wow wow wow 😮
Is this your target ? That first piece is truly exceptional ! 😍 Don’t forget to update me in due time my friend, I count on you 😉
Yes Mike
the first piece comes in a set with a vintage Grossmann pocket watch and unfortunately the price is not too good but my bid is so far leading. I think the second piece is more attainable financially I shall let you know on Tuesday 11 December when the auc...
Thanks Nico for saying so!
It is a replica of the pocket watch made in 1875 but of course with an updated movement. I was not going to mention the watch just in case others here outbid me but I am firm believer of what is meant to be, will be!! ...
Thanks Nico!
My fingers are crossed for me too!!. I would not normally bid at an auction but as the watches are new, the risk is minimal (I hope!!)
The first one is so well executed.
I like how they played down the logo on this one. I hope they will do that in the regular production as well. Also stunning dial and hands + I like the crown. Good luck 👍 🍀 I hope it will go your way.
Many thanks Christian
The first watch in 37mm is so simple yet its effect is dramatic in my opinion. It will be a real coup if I manage to secure this set but it is all about being brave and timing when it comes to auctions!!
Its really perfect
I hope it goes well. I have say that I hate the auction format - but thats just me...
I agree with you Christian
The inernet auction over two weeks is a bit too long since most people will be placing their bids on the last day at the last hour or half hour. But the allure and temptation of owning such a lovely piece unique is hard to resist!
Thank you Christian!
Now all I need to do is to find a member of the opposite sex who shares similar sentiments as you do and I would be a very happy man!!! but I think it might be easier to buy the beautiful Moritz Grossmann!!!
To be honest Christian
I tend to be very weary of watches sold at auctions and their overall condition but these are brand new watches so a win win situation (hopefully!)
