Daniels 35th Anniversary Watch

MTF · 2012-10-31T05:00:28Z

Explore the Daniels 35th Anniversary Watch, a collaboration between George Daniels and Roger W. Smith. Discover its co-axial escapement and horological significance.

MTF

WPS member · Independents forum

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MTF presents the Daniels 35th Anniversary Watch, a collaborative masterpiece between Dr. George Daniels and Roger W. Smith. This article delves into the profound significance of this limited edition, which embodies Daniels' final horological ambition and celebrates his revolutionary co-axial escapement. Readers will discover the uncompromising philosophy behind its creation and its place in watchmaking history.

Realising the Ambition –
The Story of the Daniels 35th Anniversary Watch.

Roger Smith Press Release

Dr. George Daniels C.B.E (1926 - 2011) is regarded by many as having been the greatest watchmaker of the last 250 years. In a career spanning more than 60 years he was responsible for not only single-handedly reviving the art of the handmade watch, but for inventing its single most important technological development…the revolutionary Daniels Co-axial escapement.

So when he approached Roger W Smith, in 2009, to collaborate on a special Anniversary watch, it was a request which would be daunting for any master of watch making.

However, Roger Smith was uniquely qualified to take on such a collaboration, for he is the only watch maker in the world to have been apprenticed by and later, to have collaborated with, Dr Daniels.

Nevertheless, the weight of responsibility was tremendous, especially with the added poignancy that this would also represent George Daniels’ final contribution to the world of horology.

“George approached me to fulfil his final ambition, which was to create a limited edition Daniels’ production watch. This was something that he had always wanted to do, something which would embody and celebrate his whole approach and philosophy” explains Roger Smith.

To understand the man and his approach is to understand the watches. A Daniels watch was always made entirely under one roof and every component is made from raw materials in the workshop, without the use of repetitive or automatic tools. The form of the watches is complete simplicity; there are no concessions to artificial styling, which gives Daniels’ watches a perfectly functional aesthetic that endures outside the passage of time and the vagaries of fashion.

This, then, would provide the uncompromising foundation for the watch, which was announced by George Daniels in the spring of 2010 as the ‘Daniels Anniversary Watch’ to celebrate the 35th anniversary of his co-axial escapement.

Of further significance for the Anniversary Watch is that it also marks the very first time that a series of hand made wristwatches with a new movement fully designed by George Daniels and made on the Isle of Man has been offered to the public.

Roger Smith took the full pantheon of Daniels watches as his inspiration when beginning the process, with George Daniels signing off and agreeing each design decision.

Roger continues: “George had an incredible back-catalogue of work to reference, but I knew we had to start with the dial-case and hands and, once we had agreed these, the watch design would grow organically from there”.

By the announcement, in 2010, of the watch, Roger and George had finalised the look of the watch. “Certain signature details were
apparent” says Roger. “For instance, George always featured an arrow on his hour-hands and used eccentric circles in his dials”.

However, what was also becoming apparent was the fact that for Roger the finalisation of the watch was also becoming, with dark irony, a race against time. “It was clear that George’s health was failing, while at the same time, his utterly uncompromising attention to detail remained as robust as ever. As such, there could be no rushing but I knew in my heart that we did not have the luxury of time. Nevertheless, he would give comments on every stage and his attention to detail was truly staggering”.

Furthermore, to fully honour the Daniels approach was challenging Roger’s own design intuition. “George’s watches are characterised by their simplicity, whereas I tend towards a very English, more embellished design ethos” he explains.

“The only way to achieve a truly authentic approach was to endlessly study and decode George’s work…and forget my own stylistic leanings” he says.

However, there was also a profound concession to be made by the great Dr Daniels and it involved the great work of his life…the Co-Axial Escapement.

“This was early in the process. George was ferociously protective of his watches and approach to watch making, but I had made what I considered to be a functional improvement on the original design and I felt it ought to be incorporated in the Anniversary Watch”.

Many would have avoided the potential confrontation, but Roger is an equally determined and passionate watch maker. It seems in every way, George Daniels had finally met his match.

“It definitely goes down as one of the more nerve-wracking conversations I have had!” says Roger “But I had to do it and thankfully, George agreed”. In many respects, Daniels agreement to embrace the Roger Smith improvement to his escapement was synonymous with his philosophy; he had always striven for continual improvement to escapement designs and was a staunch supporter of the Isle of Man’s burgeoning reputation as a centre of horological excellence.

Eventually in the Autumn of 2011, and with the new movement complete, Roger was ready with a prototype of the finished watch, leading to what was a very special moment…presenting the finished watch to the Master.

“It was one of those pivotal moments in my career and I had memories of the first watch I had presented to him twenty years earlier as an apprentice watch maker. Fortunately, unlike that first effort, George was delighted with and approved this celebration of his career. For me it was a crowning moment…to honour the world’s greatest watch maker with his own watch”.

How personally significant the fulfilment of this final ambition as a watch maker could have been, we can only imagine, but Dr George Daniels passed away just three weeks after giving his approval for the Anniversary Watch.

As such, the 35 watches in the series represent not only the anniversary of the most significant development in watch making for 250 years, but also the culmination of the life and career of its greatest exponent.

The watches themselves are to be presented in hand-made bound leather boxes and even come with a hand finished and stitched instruction booklet.

Every detail of each Anniversary Watch honours the great man and the series represent both an end and a beginning.

On the one hand, it seems they close the final chapter of George Daniels’ incredible achievements in horology and yet, in Roger W Smith’s work, they ensure his future legacy remains firmly open.

This message has been edited by MTF on 2012-10-31 05:07:33

Key Points from the Discussion

While owning one of George Daniels' 37 original creations is a dream, Roger Smith's pieces, including the Anniversary Watch, are highly desirable, with one collector hoping their budget will someday allow for such an acquisition.
The Omega implementation of the co-axial escapement, despite some criticisms, is noted for its phenomenal timekeeping, as experienced by a collector with an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 42mm with the 8500 calibre.
The traditional finishing of English movements, especially this special one, stirs deep thoughts in watch lovers and collectors, reflecting passion through its technical superiority and aesthetic impression.
The Daniels Anniversary Watch is anticipated to be a stunning piece of horological history, with collectors eager to see it in person and hoping to see initial releases shared online.
George Daniels was a brilliant man with a deep passion for clock and watchmaking, and he was particularly proud of his co-axial escapement, as revealed in an interview about his Star Travellers watch.
The watch's design, engineering, and maintainability exude the qualities expected from Dr. Daniels, making it a true timepiece.

The Discussion

ztirual

Oct 31, 2012

I feel the first line of the statement is not necessary. The greatest in 250 years ...singlehandedly...? These watches are very nice homage to Daniels' work. Best. Z'

Tim Jackson

Oct 31, 2012

I look forward to seeing one of these in person in due course. All that I've heard and seen so far, tells me this will be a stunning piece in person and what a piece of Horological history to own! Pity, I'm not one of the fortunate few to own one! But I know a couple of chaps who will... Please share them here if you get one of the initial releases, as I understand they will emerge from Roger's workshop over the course of a couple of years. Cheers, Tim

foversta

Oct 31, 2012

Sorry for the quality which doesn't give justice to the watch. Fx

Whirling

Oct 31, 2012

I despair...that I won't be one of the proud owners of this watch. Though a true dream would be to own one of G-D's 37 creations, Mr. Smith's pieces, including this one, would be wonderful...perhaps someday the budget will allow. In the meantime, I make do with the work of mere mortals. Though some have said the Omega implementation of the co-axial escapement leave something to be desired, I have to say that my Seamaster Planet Ocean 42mm with the 8500 calibre keeps time phenomenally well. Today

Mitch K

Oct 31, 2012

history and significance of the watch. It will be a truly stunning watch. Mitch

Mitch K

Oct 31, 2012

more accurately then any other watch without the need for lubrication. Mitch

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