Roger W. Smith is the sole apprentice of the legendary Dr. George Daniels. From his studio in the Isle of Man, Smith and his small team hand-craft a very small number of bespoke mechanical timepieces every year, pioneering the continuation of the co-axial escapement and traditional British watchmaking craftsmanship.
Overview
Founded: 2001
Based in: Isle of Man, United Kingdom
Typical Price Range: £100,000–£500,000 GBP
Known For: Series 2, Series 4, Great Britain
Website: roger-smith.com
Brand Story
After famously presenting George Daniels with two pocket watches to prove his skill, Roger Smith became Daniels’ only apprentice. In 2001, he established his own studio. Smith designed and built his own wristwatches, introducing the Series 2 in 2006. He has continued to refine the co-axial escapement, making significant geometry modifications to improve reliability and efficiency.
Design Language
Smith’s design language is traditional British. Dials are hand-turned on historic engine-turning machines (guilloché) using sterling silver. The hands are hand-sculpted and flamed-blued, and the cases are solid precious metals with distinct English style heavy lugs.
Movements & Manufacturing
The movements are designed, machined, and hand-finished entirely in-house in the Isle of Man. They feature traditional English frosted and gilded plates, heavy gold chatons, and a modified single-wheel version of the Daniels Co-axial escapement.
Notable Models
Series 2 is a highlight of their production line.
Why Enthusiasts Care
For serious watch collectors, a watch from Roger Smith represents the ultimate expression of hand-crafted horology. Given the extremely low production volume of around 10-15 watches per year, owning a Roger Smith is a rare privilege that connects a collector directly to the lineage of George Daniels.
Official Website
Featured Models
Series 2
The Roger Smith Series 2 is the brand's core manual-wind wristwatch, featuring a hand-turned sterling silver dial and a modified Daniels co-axial escapement.
