Jonathan Darracott
Global Head
The Robert White Collection / George Daniels. A very rare and fine 18K gold limited series manual wind instantaneous calendar wristwatch with power reserve indication, co-axial escapement and start stop mechanism, Daniels Anniversary Edition, No.24/35
Lot 563
Y
George Daniels. A very rare and fine 18K gold limited series manual wind instantaneous calendar wristwatch with power reserve indication, co-axial escapement and start stop mechanism,
Daniels Anniversary Edition, No.24/35
19 September 2016, 17:00 BST
London, New Bond StreetSold for £224,500 inc. premium
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George Daniels. A very rare and fine 18K gold limited series manual wind instantaneous calendar wristwatch with power reserve indication, co-axial escapement and start stop mechanism,
Daniels Anniversary Edition, No.24/35
33-jewel gilt half plate movement, blued screws, freesprung exposed four arm balance with Roger Smith version of Daniels co-axial escapement, visible stop mechanism for balance and mechanism for up and down indication, with shield of Isle of Man, fine engine turned silvered dial with eccentric gold chapter ring, black Roman numeral hour markers, black outer minute divisions with five minute markers, gold arrow tipped Daniels hands, eccentric subsidiary dials at 5 and 7 for constant seconds and date indication, power reserve indication below 12, polished round case with stepped bezel, sapphire crystal glazed screw down exhibition case back hallmarked for London, fitted black Daniels leather strap with signed 18K gold deployant clasp, together with fitted Daniels box, case, dial and movement signed.
40mm.
33-jewel gilt half plate movement, blued screws, freesprung exposed four arm balance with Roger Smith version of Daniels co-axial escapement, visible stop mechanism for balance and mechanism for up and down indication, with shield of Isle of Man, fine engine turned silvered dial with eccentric gold chapter ring, black Roman numeral hour markers, black outer minute divisions with five minute markers, gold arrow tipped Daniels hands, eccentric subsidiary dials at 5 and 7 for constant seconds and date indication, power reserve indication below 12, polished round case with stepped bezel, sapphire crystal glazed screw down exhibition case back hallmarked for London, fitted black Daniels leather strap with signed 18K gold deployant clasp, together with fitted Daniels box, case, dial and movement signed.
40mm.
Footnotes
Dr. George Daniels CBE (1926-2011) was a true horologist with a passion that overcame all the turmoil that befell the watch industry in the 1970's. George came out of it a game changer, elder statesman, mentor to many influential watch producers and a national treasure.
George wrote many books on watches, watchmaking and watch collecting. One of the most influential was Watchmaking which he wrote in 1981 describing the way he makes watches from the beginning to the end with no secrets or mysteries. A manual if you like that was used by Roger Smith to create his first two watches in the Daniels manner. This created an introduction through Tina Millar and a firm working relationship that culminated in the creation of two wristwatch series bearing the Daniels name.
The present watch comes from the second wristwatch series, this one comprising of 35 watches to celebrate 35 years from the creation of the Co-axial escapement and the last to bear the Daniels name. By this point Roger Smith was so familiar with the work of George he was able to suggest modifications to the Daniels Co-Axial escapement that George agreed to and approved.
Most importantly this series continued the Ethos created by George for a handmade watch in a wristwatch and perfected by Roger to create a small series unlike any other. A truly astounding combination of a life's work and the vibrancy of the new generation and a combination that will never be seen again.
