2021 December Meeting

2nd December 2021

The George Daniels Memorial Lecture

“The Development of the Mechanical Watch”

Dr Roger Smith OBE, FBHI.

In many respects Dr Roger Smith requires no introduction, producing his first and second watches in the 1990s and having worked with the late George Daniels, Roger set up his own workshops on the Isle of Man 20 years ago, Roger W Smith Ltd. In 2018 Roger was awarded the order of the British Empire, (OBE) and an honorary doctorate from the Birmingham City University. Roger’s image was immortalised last year by the Isle of Man Post Office when they released a commemorative book of six stamps featuring three master watchmakers. I remember on his visit to the branch, September 2014 “Against All Odds” amongst other things Roger spoke of British watchmaking’s survival with its exclusive design and execution of workmanship. Currently his business on the Isle of Man produces 15 watches per year and recently, one of Rogers watches, a Series 2, sold at auction, for a record price of £536,000.

Now on his Fifth series of design, tonight’s lecture ‘’The Development of the Mechanical Watch’’, is an in-depth look, into his development of George’s co-axial escapement and the benefits that a practical escapement can bring to timekeeping but also to the improved mechanical efficiency of the mechanism that it sits within.

Duncan Greig

The meeting was held at The White Hart Barn in Godstone and made accessible via Zoom to those unable to attend.