Roger Smith - TOKI: Watch Auction Hong Kong Friday, November 22, 2024 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Roger Smith
    Year: Circa 2013
    Movement No: No. 4
    Case No: No. 4
    Model Name: Series 2, Edition 3
    Material: 18K white gold
    Calibre: Manual, in-house caliber with single wheel co-axial escapement, 28 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Roger Smith pin buckle, hand-engraved "R. W. Smith"
    Dimensions: 38mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Roger Smith Ownership and Service History booklet confirming the delivery of the present timepiece to a Japanese collector in January 2013, service return box, leather travel pouch, leather card holder, cloth, key and fitted bespoke presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Roger W. Smith's destiny in the world of watchmaking revealed itself at the young age of 16 when his father enrolled him in a course at the Manchester School of Horology. Displaying prodigious talent, Smith graduated in 1989 at the top of his class and was awarded the British Horological Institute's prestigious Bronze Medal. It was during a guest lecture in 1987 that Smith had his first encounter with the legendary George Daniels. Daniels showcased his groundbreaking Space Travellers pocket watch, and in that moment, Smith knew his life's purpose was to master the intricacies of watchmaking.

    What followed was a relentless seven-year quest to learn Daniels' pioneering watchmaking methodology that integrated 32 specialized crafts. Smith was determined to prove himself worthy to collaborate with the great master himself one day. In 1997, Smith finally presented Daniels with a pocket watch he had built entirely by hand over the course of 5 years, based on Daniels' published instructions. Impressed with Smith's skills, Daniels took him on as his one and only apprentice - a partnership that evolved into a great friendship.

    In 2001, after having worked with Daniels for over a decade, Smith set out on his own and created his own wristwatch. The result was the rectangular Series 1. In 2006, he presented the Series 2, a round watch displaying perfect proportions, featuring Smith’s first fully in-house developed and made caliber using the Daniels co-axial escapement.

    According to Smith, the Series 2 “is probably the most important watch in the history of the company. The original Series 2 was the first watch to be completely made in-house. It was a huge step forward for us from the Series 1 and was also the first production watch by a British watchmaker in modern times. From a personal perspective, the Series 2 came during a very difficult time for the business; its genesis didn’t just result in a watch - it re-invented the studio and assured our future.”

    Early on and after having delivered a few Series 2 models, Smith decided to create the “Editions” concept whereby the Series 2 would be made in a limited edition of 90 pieces with 30 watches in each gold: Edition 1 in yellow gold, Edition 2 in pink gold and Edition 3 in white gold. Smith also offered custom versions of the Series 2, which were also available in a platinum case. Shortly after, Smith abandoned the “Editions” concept after having made only one Edition 1 and 5 each of Edition 2 and 3.

    The present Series 2 is No. 4 of the extraordinarily rare and elegant white gold Edition 3. Within this early 38mm diameter case lies the shared horological mastery of both Daniels and Smith on full display – boasting an exquisite, engine-turned solid silver dial with blued steel hands, hand-carved lettering and Roman numerals, hand-engraved plates, frosted finishes, every component hand-crafted with artisanal devotion. Its immaculate English-finished plates and bridges epitomize Smith's technical brilliance following in Daniels' footsteps.

    For the collector, this distinguished timepiece is full of hand-finished details and encapsulates British watchmaking history. The present Series 2 Edition 3 is fresh to the market with its certificate confirming the delivery of the present timepiece to a Japanese collector in 2013. It is further accompanied by a bespoke wooden presentation box with its full set of accessories. Kept in exceptional condition with barely any signs of wear, it will surely delight any discerning collector who appreciates a timepiece made of extraordinary finesse.

Property of a Collector in Japan

Σ28

An exceptional, important and extremely rare white gold wristwatch with small seconds, power reserve indication, engine-turned dial, hand-engraving on the barrel bridge, certificate and presentation box, number 4 of only 5 made

Circa 2013
38mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
HK$2,350,000 - 4,700,000 
€286,000-572,000
$301,000-603,000

Sold for HK$3,429,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2030
WatchesHK@phillips.com

Gertrude Wong
Head of Sale, Hong Kong
+852 2318 2045
gertrudewong@phillips.com

TOKI: Watch Auction

Hong Kong Auction 22 November