Independents

and it was too large at 42mm but it was a sublime watch and almost like a bargain RW Smith! I too subscribed for the new Simplicity like ten thousand others so yes, the Smith is definitely 'mass produced' by comparison. You should really explore the possibility of owning a Smith. I has been and still is a wonderful experience. For me, part of the joy of securing a watch is the buying experience and the service provided.

Roger Smith had just completed his 100th watch in his watchmaking career recently, compared to 230 or so plus the new series of Simplicity Dufour's made/making. I'd argue it's not Roger's watches that's the mass produced item between these two

But I am not sure how accurate that figure is. I mean Roger produces 10 watches a year and I believe it has increased to 13 or 14 watches a year of late.  And as Roger has been making his own watches in excess of 15 years, I would have thought that the numbers would exceed at least 150.  But in total, still less than the 200 plus Simplicity watches that do exist.  We must however not overlook that Roger has only been making the latest Series 1,3 ,4 and 5 since 2015 and before that his only watch was the Series 2 (apart from the rectangular Series 1 in his early days).  So yes, even with the Series 2, there are fewer than 100 pieces that have been made.  I believe my Series 1 will be the 16th ever made (numbered as number 17 since number 14 remains unallocated unsurprisingly!) 

I have just received a personal email from Roger Smith who confirms your figure of 100 watches and I had totally forgotten that apart from his own watches, Roger had been busy making the Daniels Anniversary watches. It was a nice touch for Roger to write to me as he has been following this post too! The low quanitity of his production really makes a RW Smith one of the most exclusive watches available, second perhaps only to a Daniels.

that Roger Smith has made fewer watches than Philip Dufour by more than half! I have received direct confirmation from Roger today about this. I really had not expected the great man to be following this post but apparently he has! and I am deeply honoured! I think many collectors are more familiar with the Swiss method of movement finishing where Mr Dufour has no equal whereas the English style of movement finishing is less well known among collectors today. It is a matter of personal taste of coiurse.

I hope you (and Roger Smith!) understood I was being tongue-in-cheek when I said Smith's watches were commonplace compared to Dufour. I know they're rare as hen's teeth, and I would be honored to own one.

and felt so privileged when Roger emailed me yesterday personally to say that he has only produced 100 watches so far, If not for your post, he may not have emailed me so thank you for that

It's also the perfect size!  Just perfect! 

It would be a tough watch to better.

Perfect perfection!

when you said that the watch was not thick at all. I think you have been wearing too many MB&Fs my friend!    At 13 to 13.5mm in thickness, I think we can safely say it is thick for a dress watch.  But thank you for your lovely comments as always!

I unfortunately do not own an MB&F (entirely due to a lack of funds, not a lack of desire), despite my apparent craziness for them and the creativity behind the brand. That last watch I reviewed, the Moser/MB&F Collaboration watch, was on loan from Moser. Almost all of the watches in my personal collection are quite thin with case thickness of around 5-8mm! I would like to own a simple Lange one day, and that's the thickest watch that's on my wish list!

and a Lange 1815 will still be thicker than your Patek 5712.   MB&F watches are not quite for daily wear but they do have that wow factor and are definitely conversation pieces. I had a LM101 once upon a time but the thickness drove me mad!     And patrick_y not having enough funds to buy a MB&F is something that does not compute!     Now that you have at least one MB&F music machine, you need a watch to match! 

And even more true this week!  I do like my music machine!  I'm so glad I have that one! 

at the following MB&F have. When the brand first started, I thought this was going to be a niche brand which one either loves or hates.  But it has more than enough a following to ensure that almost every watch and product are a hit.  Not many brands can lay claim to that.

The Horological Machines were very much statement pieces that could only be worn for special occasions, unless you were a rock star.  One young Silicon Valley tech titan wore an HM4 pretty much in a rotation of daily watches. 

that there is a very fine line between a silicon valley tech titan and a rock star! 

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Not quite the Roger Smith clientele then even if he could afford it! 

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Here is a picture of the movement but I am cheating as this is from the RW Smith website.

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I mean I have to say that as I have paid for it! 

This is a ultimate dream and grail watch imho. Please keep us updated 🤗

I too look forward to seeing the end product 

Lovely to hear your wait for a Roger Smith is finally coming to fruition soon!

Now that I have passed the 5 year test in waiting for a watch, I have only recently left a deposit on a car which will be available for me to drive in 8 years time!  I know, I know, I am nuts but I actually enjoy waiting for nice things in life  

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or at least allowing someone who can take decent photos to take them! 

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