The recent Sotheby’s auction in Geneva witnessed a historic moment as a one-of-a-kind wristwatch, bearing the signatures of renowned UK watchmakers George Daniels and Roger Smith, fetched a staggering $2.4 million, setting a new record in the world of horology.
Crafted in 2001, the exceptional white gold Millennium model not only epitomizes the finesse of British watchmaking but also carries the legacies of both George Daniels, a luminary of the modern watchmaking era, and his protégé Roger Smith, who has since established himself as an esteemed independent watchmaker.
Notably, this timepiece marked a significant milestone for Smith, as it was the first wristwatch bearing his name. Initially serving as his personal timepiece, Smith made the difficult decision to part with it in 2008, selling it for £100,000 ($124,000) to finance his burgeoning watchmaking venture.
The remarkable auction price of 2.18 million Swiss francs not only signifies the highest bid ever for a Millennium model but also stands as the highest price achieved for a wristwatch bearing Roger Smith’s signature.
Reflecting on the momentous sale, Smith expressed his astonishment at the global attention the piece garnered and reminisced about the emotional significance of relinquishing the watch over a decade ago.
George Daniels, the mastermind behind the iconic Millennium series, introduced the revolutionary co-axial escapement, a breakthrough innovation known for enhancing timekeeping accuracy, later adopted by renowned Swiss brand Omega for their premium models.
The winning bidder, a prominent collector and watch dealer hailing from the United Arab Emirates, secured the prized timepiece after a five-minute bidding war, triumphing over nine other bidders present at the auction.
This exceptional achievement follows the recent success of Roger Smith’s pocket watch, which sold for a record-breaking $4.9 million at a Phillips auction in New York. Additionally, a rare George Daniels wristwatch fetched an impressive sum of over $4 million at a Phillips auction in Geneva in the previous year, underscoring the enduring global appeal of British watchmaking craftsmanship.
With the Roger Smith brand producing a limited number of 18 watches annually from their workshop nestled on the serene Isle of Man, the legacy of these esteemed British watchmakers continues to captivate the hearts and minds of horology enthusiasts around the world.
