Watchatlas

George Daniels

London, United Kingdom · Est. 1968

Founded by George Daniels

George Daniels (1926–2011) was one of the greatest watchmakers in history, renowned for his mastery of every aspect of watch construction and for inventing the co-axial escapement. Working from his London workshop, he handcade fewer than 40 complete watches in his lifetime, each a masterpiece of horology. His legacy endures through the George Daniels Educational Trust and the extraordinary value his timepieces command at auction.

Founded
1968
Headquarters
London, United Kingdom
Group
Independent
Price Segment
Ultra
Status
Defunct

Key Collections

  • Space Traveller — One of the most valuable watches ever made, featuring a coaxial escapement with dual timezone and a moon phase — sold for over £4 million at auction.
  • Anniversary (2010) — George Daniels’s final limited wristwatch series, created with Roger W. Smith as a hand-made British calibre project that commemorated the 35th anniversary of Daniels’s co-axial escapement and became one of his defining modern legacies. Key references: Anniversary Watch, Co-Axial Anniversary, Anniversary Watch No. 00.

Timeline

  • 1926 — George Daniels born in London, England. Self-taught watchmaker who became the greatest horologist of the 20th century.
  • 1969 — Completes his first pocket watch, beginning a career of handmaking every component himself.
  • 1974 — Invents the coaxial escapement, the most significant improvement to the lever escapement in 250 years.
  • 1999 — Omega adopts the coaxial escapement for mass production, validating Daniels' life's work.
  • 2011 — George Daniels passes away on the Isle of Man at age 85, leaving a legacy of approximately 37 handmade timepieces.

Frequently Asked Questions about George Daniels

Why is George Daniels so important?
He invented the coaxial escapement — the most significant mechanical advance in watchmaking in 250 years — and was one of the last watchmakers to handmake every single component of his watches himself.
How many watches did George Daniels make?
Approximately 37 complete timepieces over his lifetime, all handmade from raw materials. Each one is considered a masterpiece and fetches millions at auction.

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