Roger W Smith | Workshop

W

O

R

K

S

H

O

P

Roger created his first workshop in 1989 in order to start work on his first pocket watch, before moving to the Isle of Man to work with George Daniels in 1998.

Roger W. Smith Ltd was founded in 2001 and with it came Roger’s first workshop on the island. The workshop moved to its current site in 2018.

Since 2006, Roger has been developing the Daniels co-axial escapement specifically for use in his own movements.

It has been quite a journey, through conceiving the single wheel, then reducing its size and weight, the result is now a super-lightweight, 4.5mm single wheel design.

No items found.

George Daniels bequeathed his workshop collection to Roger in 2011 and this historic equipment is now used alongside cutting-edge technology.

The refinements made to the escapement have enhanced the efficiency of the movement, allowing a reduction in mainspring strength. This reduction in power throughout the mechanism helps to minimise wear and extend service intervals.

Each watch is made to order.

Throughout the movement, traditional hand finishing is applied by the watchmaker. Roger’s work is characterised by its frosted and gilded plates, black polished steelwork, flame-blued screws and hand engine turned dials.

All but the most specialised components are made in-house from raw materials*, before being worked by hand to achieving a depth and feel that mass production cannot match. Roger’s watches can take up to two years to make and may include over 400 components.

_{* Balance spring, mainspring, jewels, sapphire crystals, seals, and straps are sourced from specialist manufacturers.}

‍

‍