![]() ![]() The only parts of an RW Smith watch not produced in the Isle of Man workshop are the jewels, the balance and main springs, the crystals and the leather straps. Smith and his 11 employees strive to perpetuate “the Daniels Method” of painstaking creation, which requires each watch to be made in the classic English style, typical features of which include frosted movement plates, silver, engine-turned dials and jewels set in gold chatons rather than directly into the movement baseplate. Image courtesy and copyright of Phillips.The Series 1 offers an hours, minutes and seconds display that makes it the simplest piece in what is currently a five-model line-up - but its basic functionality belies the remarkable attention to detail that limits the maker’s entire production to no more than 10 watches per year. ![]() On his website, Roger W Smith notes that his workshop makes just 12 watches each year. Smith is included in the stamp collection which also features John Harwood and George Daniels. In 2020 the Isle of Man Post Office released a commemorative book of stamps to recognise the Island’s horological history titled, Master Watchmakers of the Isle of Man. Increasingly recognised for his work in 2018, Smith was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE), and an honorary Doctorate from Birmingham City University. In 2001 Smith set up his own workshop, Roger W. The present watch is the only Series 1 in white gold made, making it truly unique.’ The watch’s length is 35.5mm excluding lugs and the width is 38.5mm.ĭr Roger W Smith OBE,FBHI served his watchmaking apprenticeship with the late renowned horologist George Daniels, based in the Isle of Man. The Fennell logo is placed at 12 and had his name engraved on the main plate. The auction house further noted about the watch that ‘of the nine rectangular Series 1s that were made, three of them were part of the ‘ONELY’ series commissioned by celebrated London jeweller Theo Fennell. Interestingly, the auction house stated that for the whole weekend sale it had a record attendance of more than 2500 online bidders from 83 different countries. ![]() Leading auctioneer and watch specialist Aurel Bacs, Senior Consultant, with Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo, paid full tribute to Roger Smith’s watchmaking as he conducted the auction and sold the watch. The watch was in good company as the auction house sold all 233 watches it put up for auction over the weekend. The final price achieved created a new world record for any Roger W Smith wristwatch sold at auction to date.Īuctioned by Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo as Lot 145 in the Geneva Watch Auction: XIII, which was held between 8 –. The auction estimate for the watch was between CHF 40,000 to 80,000. The wristwatch, a Series 1 ‘Onely Theo Fennell’, with a rectangular 18 carat gold white case, retrograde date, and a manual wind, from circa 2005, was described by the auction house as ‘incredibly rare’. Rare Roger W Smith Watch Sells at Geneva AuctionĪ wristwatch made by one of Britain’s foremost contemporary independent watchmakers Roger W Smith OBE FBHI, has sold at auction for Swiss CHF 541,800 (approximately £423,916) including buyer’s premium.
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