A highlight of British Watchmakers’ Day, this one-off Series 1 is the first time a new Roger W. Smith watch has been made available for immediate purchase by collectors.
19th February 2024As Chairman of the Alliance of British Watch and Clock Makers, Roger has created this one-off piece to support its first major live event, British Watchmakers’ Day.
“One of the main ideas behind the event is for exhibiting makers to create a special edition watch that is only available on the day” explains Roger. “As Chairman, I wanted to lead by example but as we make so few watches each year it was a real challenge!”
What has resulted is an exceptionally special watch.
Roger describes the result as “The Series 1 watch I would make for myself”.
He explains; “Over the years, all the commissions for my Series of watches have been made with a modest customisation in their design to give my clients unique variations. The opportunity with this piece was to make what I wanted, and to have some fun!”
As he embarked on the build back in March 2023, Roger went back to his original designs for his Series 1.
“I’ve been asked several times whether there’s a mark identifying this watch as a special edition for British Watchmakers’ Day. Although numbered as the Series 1 ‘No.32’, the irony is that it’s distinguished by having not a single mark or change to my original design.”
A time-only piece (showing hours, minutes and seconds), the resulting Series 1 has a deceptively simple yet sumptuous aesthetic. Housed in a 38mm red-gold case, it has a mixed metal dial with a silver engine-turned background inset with red-gold chapters.
“The movement which, as ever is driven by the single-wheel co-axial escapement has my traditional English finish with gilded frosted plates and gold chatons” explains Roger. “I went back to my sketches and worked with our engraver to create the resulting English rose pattern on the barrel bridge. It really is my ideal vision for the Series 1.”
The Series 1 special edition watch will be on high security display throughout British Watchmakers’ Day.
With a reserve price confirmed at £297,500 (excl. of VAT), the Series 1 special edition is being sold through our closed bid auction.
Roger has also committed to make a donation from the proceeds of the sale to the Alliance of British Watch and Clock Makers which is a not-for-profit organisation.
The auction has now ended.