Chairman of the Alliance of British Watch and Clock Makers, Roger Smith, tells WatchPro that he has each confidence within the resurgence of the British watch trade and explains why he’ll lead by instance by providing a singular Sequence 1 on the market at British Watchmakers. Day on March ninth.
“It has been nearly 5 years for the reason that concept for British Watchmakers’ Day was first conceived. It was really impressed by File Retailer Day, an concept to revitalize the vinyl trade. So we may have a day and the concept is that individuals will deliver distinctive and particular watches to promote on that day solely.
Once we launched the alliance three years in the past, we thought we may appeal to a dozen commerce members, and right here we’re with greater than 40 exhibitors at our first commerce present. It’s extremely thrilling. Lots of them make particular editions for today – together with me.
We knew this was coming, so we began it over a yr in the past. We’re nonetheless within the means of finalizing it, however will probably be prepared very quickly. We requested different members to make items, so we needed to lead by instance – that was all the time the case, it doesn’t matter what. Why ought to anybody else trouble doing it if we thought we have been too nice for it?
The issue was methods to promote the watch. After some dialogue, we determined that we might mainly have an public sale the place individuals place their bids earlier than the day. Then, at 3pm on British Watchmakers Day, the public sale ends and the watch hopefully goes to a brand new proprietor.
The watch has a reserve worth of £297,500 and a portion of the income from the sale can be donated to the Alliance of British Watch and Clockmakers
Roger Smith
The watch has a reserve worth of £297,500 (excluding VAT) and a portion of the income from the sale can be donated to Allianz. We’re a non-profit group and due to this fact want cash to maintain it operating, and I hope that every one the individuals at present ready for a Roger W. Smith watch see the sale in the appropriate mild.
That is the primary watch ever made accessible to the general public. Each single watch has all the time been made for a buyer since day one and none has ever been supplied for direct sale, so this actually is a once-in-a-lifetime alternative.
You understand, I designed this look ahead to myself. This was the primary alternative in lots of, a few years that I really considered, ‘What would I like?’ What could be my good spec for a watch?’ That was nice.
It is a Sequence 1 with a 38mm spherical rose gold case – I believe I designed all my watches to be rose gold – with a silver and gold guilloche dial, Roman numerals and rose gold palms.
And the motion has a singular design that we have by no means performed earlier than – it options an English rose design on the barrel bridge. It is quite simple and that is precisely what I like – one thing unobtrusive. You understand, that is really how I all the time imagined these watches. Some individuals like to change them a bit, which I am proud of. However for me I might preserve it easy and simple.
The watch can be on show at British Watchmakers’ Day on March ninth. Three different items may also be on show there. The GREAT Britain, a George Daniels Anniversary in white gold and a Sequence 4 with a “Touring Date” complication.
I look ahead to assembly as a lot of our buying and selling members as attainable on the day – this would be the first time many people have the chance to fulfill bodily. That is why I actually wish to speak to all of those watchmakers to search out out their tales, to search out out extra about what they do and attempt to do, and to search out out why they received into watchmaking. From what I’ve seen, everybody has a singular story and I am dying to discover that and meet a couple of extra individuals.
It is all the time fascinating to see the clocks, however I actually just like the enterprise facet and seeing this commerce develop. That is why I wish to concentrate on individuals and listen to what’s good and unhealthy, what they wish to obtain, and work out how we will help.
There’s quite a bit I am wanting ahead to. I’ve seen some photos of the Duckworth Prestex clock and am wanting ahead to seeing it within the steel. I do know Fears is doing one thing particular too, and I hope Mr. Jones may have one thing particular too.
Then Sidereus – I’ve by no means handled any of those items earlier than, however I believe they do one thing distinctive and there is one thing fairly fascinating about these watches. Schofield, William Wooden and Vertex… there’s a lot good things to see!
If every little thing goes in response to plan, I see no motive why it should not occur once more subsequent yr – that was all the time the objective, for this to be an annual occasion. That is why I wish to speak to individuals. We could not have performed every little thing completely the primary time, however at the very least we’re heading in the right direction, and that is one thing massive to have fun.
I actually consider that at present within the UK we’re experiencing one thing of a rebirth and a reimagining of what British watchmaking could be. I believe there’s a sure sector that’s eager to remain on the planet of 18th and nineteenth century watchmaking, however we now have to keep in mind that Britain has misplaced its watchmaking trade due to this method.
As we speak we now have corporations like Christopher Ward, whose driving drive is basically within the UK, however who’ve acknowledged the restrictions of watchmaking within the UK, the place we now have misplaced the core data. That is why they seemed for very gifted individuals in Switzerland to assist them understand their goals and ambitions.
Watches just like the Bel Canto are a greeting to everybody and a giant wake-up name for individuals in so-called watch facilities. They present what is going on on right here and that there’s actual British watchmaking expertise. And sure, the remainder of the world is beginning to take discover.
It is nonetheless early days, however we’re assured that one thing will develop from it. That is really only the start. It’s extremely thrilling.”
British Watchmakers’ Day takes place on March ninth in London.
