The Series One, first delivered in 2018, is a time-only piece. Inspiration was taken from The GREAT Britain, which was the first time-only watch I designed. Its stripped-back aesthetics were intentionally designed so that the owner's attention would focus solely on the main characteristic of this watch: modern-day timekeeping. Also offered as an Open Dial, the Series One is housed in a 38 or 40mm case.
The idea for the Series Two came to me in 2004, when I realised that the only way forward was to design and build a completely new watch using the Daniels Method.I finished the prototype in February 2006. This was the first time that a production movement had been specifically designed around the Daniels co-axial escapement.
The dial displays hours, minutes and seconds, along with a power reserve indicator, like a fuel gauge in a car. Also offered with the power reserve dial on the back of the movement, the Series Two is housed in a 38 or 40mm case.
Iām incredibly proud of my Series Two.
After making my original Series One, a tourbillon, and a mirrored pair of watches with retrograde calendar complications, I decided to create the Series Three. Adding a different complication option to my growing range of watches, this watch has a retrograde calendar at the XII position and a symmetrical dial. To showcase the complexity of the calendar mechanism, the Series Three is also available as an Open Dial. The Series Three is housed in a 40mm case.
My Series Four displays hours, minutes and seconds with a triple calendar and moon phase, housed in a 41mm case. The first piece, delivered in 2020, was the 100th watch to be made under the R.W. Smith name.
It was inspired by the aesthetic appeal of triple-calendar complication watches. As my design process progressed, I became increasingly aware of one major drawback: the dominant date hand would often sit across key information on the dial for several days at a time. This made the dial less legible, defeating my philosophy of having a clear display. After much thought and effort, the solution came in the form of a travelling date aperture, which immediately solved the legibility issue. This concept has since been adopted by other brands.
The Series Five launched in 2019 and is the Mark 2 version of my original Series Two Open Dial watch, first designed in 2010. By revealing the under-dial work, I was able to showcase the three-dimensional design and depth of the mechanisms I create. My original goal for the 2010 piece was to highlight the meticulous attention to detail applied to every component, no matter how small or hidden. An Open Dial allows me to emphasise English craftsmanship at its finest, with its black polishing, bevelling and understated gilded and frosted finishes which are key attributes of fine British watchmaking. The Series Five is housed in a 38 or 40mm case.
After developing the travelling date aperture in 2014, new opportunities opened up to explore fresh dial designs. I was inspired to celebrate its success with a more pared-back interpretation.
The Series Six displays hours, minutes and seconds on a floating central dial, while the date is indicated through the travelling aperture. This stepped design gives the dial the same three-dimensional quality as the movement. My approach to watchmaking is, in part, defined by this architectural style.
