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Timely post Gary on the eve of the day America celebrates it's birth from England

 

As allways your photos do Roger's work a great service. This piece is stunning, and I have to agree with you, that the hands are terribly compelling. I remember handling a Series 1 many moons ago, and loving the hands. Back them they were a slightly bit more crude, he has refined them to what we see here.
The layered guilloche dials are amazing too.

One could go on, suffice to say, I am a huge fan of Roger's and one day a Series 2 will have to be added to the collection wink

Probably the fact that he is such a good, honest and genuine fellow, is a huge part of why I find his work compelling. Given Bernard Cheong's recent post about tiny details of pins in watches being so important, which I fully agree, Roger's work certainly holds up to these standards of excellence under magnification.
As a complete watchmaker, meaning one who masters all the crafts of fine watchmaking, I think Roger is up there with the best.

Happy 4th Gary,
Cheers,
Tim

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17 Comments view entire thread 

Roger Smith Series 2 in SS -- Photos

 
By: Gary G : July 3rd, 2013-13:27
Greetings to all! My friends have been on a generous streak lately, giving me the opportunity to handle and photograph a number of dream watches. I certainly think that in the independent realm, this one fits the bill -- the Roger Smith Series 2, here in ...  

gorgeous watch, gorgeous pics... thanks Gary!

 
By: foversta : July 3rd, 2013-14:10
I've never handled a SS Smith watch... and with your post I understand why... if it is the unique piece made of SS... Fx

Great report

 
By: Spellbound : July 3rd, 2013-14:23
I don't think I will ever see one of these so really appreciate the report. I love that the production date is engraved in the movement. The dial, and the thickness of the case remind me of Greubel Forsey watches. It is funny how the hands do evoque "Brit... 

Production date

 
By: AndrewD : July 7th, 2013-21:16
I also applaud this engraving. Very important in the decades and centuries to come. Lovely addition for the historians amongst us. Place (Isle of Man), time (Jan 2007) and maker (R W Smith) all there to see. Nice. Andrew

It's practically a museum piece...

 
By: elliot55 : July 3rd, 2013-16:55
... what a remarkable looking watch. I love the hands and the stainless steel. The shots are flawless. And in regards to the finish of the watch, do you know if Roger has some particular reason for this approach? I wonder if part of it is about being deli... 

It is traditional "English finishing"....

 
By: Tim Jackson : July 3rd, 2013-17:12
Scott, One of the often unknown facts about Roger, is that he has never worked in the watchmaking world in Switzerland. Quite rare even in today's Independent world. Marco Lang might also be the other fellow I know who has not. Originally taught in Manche... 

Finishing

 
By: Rushwarp : July 11th, 2013-02:03
Hi Tim, Just coming back to the aspect of finishing within horological history for a moment: The 'frosted' type finishing you see in English watches was also used in Switzerland (and Germany and France for that matter) during the 18th and 19th centuries q... 

Timely post Gary on the eve of the day America celebrates it's birth from England

 
By: Tim Jackson : July 3rd, 2013-17:23
As allways your photos do Roger's work a great service. This piece is stunning, and I have to agree with you, that the hands are terribly compelling. I remember handling a Series 1 many moons ago, and loving the hands. Back them they were a slightly bit m... 

Beautiful watch...

 
By: andrewluff : July 4th, 2013-02:15
and I don't need to say it... but wonderful photos again Gary, they really do show off the piece in its best light. Congrats! Cheers Andrew

Tiny imperferctions are sometimes distinguish the really handmade ones versus the machines

 
By: Hororgasm : July 4th, 2013-02:30
not the absolute truth, but to some degree. think the gentlemen owner was wearing this piece when we were in Geneva for SIHH...and he was going thru a stainless steel "phase"? :)- thanks for sharing. best, Horo

You know the owner, of course!

 
By: Gary G : July 4th, 2013-16:16
And he is still in his "stainless" phase, as evidenced by his new KV Chronograph, among others. Best, Gary

As Vianney tried to explain

 
By: amerix : July 5th, 2013-11:08
in the documentary "Timepiece" his watches have many tiny mechanical imperfections that he can adjust in such a way, and bring into harmony, not for making "the perfect watch" - but a "pure watch". Let's hail his and other valiant attempts! amerix This me... 

I love the style of Roger Smith watches...

 
By: WatchCollectorCB : July 4th, 2013-23:55
and for me his watches are like a dream. this one is a bit cheaper than his watches with gold case?

Not sure on pricing

 
By: Gary G : July 10th, 2013-17:22
...but as this was a one-off (vs. having, say, 10 SS cases made) I suspect that it might have cost even more than the precious metal versions! Best, Gary

I've examined this one in detail and compared it to others

 
By: ei8htohms : July 5th, 2013-21:57
For whatever reason, this particular piece does show more of the handmade aspect that any other RWS watch I've had the pleasure of seeing in person. Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful watch, but it has some finishing inconsistencies that I found surpris...