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RGM: My Visit to RGM Watches, Part 2
Before I discuss dials, let me show you some photographs of the guilloche machines Roland and his watchmakers use and there are 5 of them. Every dial, bridge, and plate with guilloche decoration made by RGM is hand engraved on these vintage engine turning machines. There are 3 rose or round engines and 2 straight line engines used by the firm in their atelier. I literally was exposed to almost 60 dial patterns cut on these machines. As you can see, Roland amicably demonstrated one of the engines for my daughter and I but with a blank! Literally the decoration possibilities are endless.
I saw gold plated dials, rhodium plated dials, pilot dials, blue dials, carmel brown dials. I saw roman and arabic numerals. I saw many styles of hands, including Breguet. RGM also offers a open, custom guilloche mainplate as a dial option. Also, you could have different guilloche designs that would incorporate one design on the outside of the numerals, another guilloche pattern on the interior of the numerals, and a third on the sub seconds dial. Maybe you desire the gold, rhodium, or combination I mentioned above but maybe you would like a blue dial with rhodium..... Much of these designs can be attributed to Richard Bough, the general manager and chief designer, who was trained as an artist and he is! Also let me mention that RGM can help you design the dial you wish and have an identical copy of that dial made into a piece of jewelry for your spouse.....it has been done by Roland and his team. These are not stamped pieces but hand guilloched and hand finished works of engraving art by RGM.
There is no way I can upload all the images I would wish to share with you. I might suggest if you would like to inquire further about RGM, visit their website at www . rgmwatches . com [remove spaces] and make sure you check out all the links. This site was updated while I was on my visit and is constantly changing.
Some of you asked me to ask Roland some questions that I have not covered so let me answer them as Roland did. Some are concerned about whether the 801 caliber is Unitas based or if any parts are derived from Unitas. The answer is no, "it is the 801". The size is the same, the layout may appear like a manual Unitas as they would a vintage Hamilton, etc. but the bridges, plates, and other parts are different and it is definitively a caliber 801. Distinct.
Another question asked was what distinquishes RGM's watches other than they are "made in America"? Roland answered with two comments: "the watches are very much me" and "the movement". My personal answer to the question is the beauty of the movement, the hand engraving and hand finishing of the entire watch, the breadth of options particularly dials (you can truely have a one of a kind you helped design), and the fact the 801 is the only truely American caliber.
Another set of questions had to do with American watchmakers in general and American parts and where he sees RGM and watchmakers in America evolving in the future? Roland replied that the reason he began his company was purely an "individual motive". He does not know where the American industry will go for it is up to each individual or company but RGM will remain a small, independent company that may grow to 500 watches per year. Roland says he has no ambition to be a huge watch company. He will continue to help develope the ability to make more and more American parts as he has done with cases over the past year. More complications will be added to the 801 and more evolutionary changes will be made. I cannot reveal anything further for I agreed not to except the fact that the 801 line will be expanded soon to offer a 24 hour dial (you are the first to know!). It can be ordered.
To summarize, my opinion is that if an afficiando wants a truly custom watch that is an authentic classical beauty in it's movement, is hand engraved and finished by artists, is one of a kind as an American caliber, and can be unique to you as a small atelier can only build, RGM is a company to visit with. Oh, Roland and Rich, are really fun to converse and be with also!
Some of you, like I, will ask how long does it take to have a watch made for me and what is the cost? Roland says it could take as long as 16 months and the 801 begins at the price quoted on their website and can go up significantly from that point. Most will run less than $20,000 USD which, in my opinion, is a good buy....it will depend on what you and I would want as to the price and delivery date.
Stay tuned for Part 3 and a few more photographs.....
This message has been edited by MTF on 2009-02-14 02:59:04
RGM: My Visit to RGM Watches, Part 2
