Roger W. Smith Ltd.
Ramsey, United Kingdom · Est. 2001
Founded by Roger W. Smith
Roger W. Smith Ltd. is a British independent watchmaking firm founded by Roger Smith in 2006 on the Isle of Man. Trained by legendary watchmaker George Daniels and using Daniels' co-axial escapement, Smith handcrafts a small number of entirely in-house timepieces each year, making them among the most exclusive and collectible watches in the world.
- Founded
- 2001
- Headquarters
- Ramsey, United Kingdom
- Group
- Independent
- Price Segment
- Ultra
- Status
- Active
Key Collections
- Series 2 — The core collection featuring hand-made movements with the co-axial escapement, produced in extremely limited numbers on the Isle of Man.
- Great Britain — A special commission featuring a unique hand-engraved dial depicting the British Isles, showcasing Smith's artisanal engraving skills alongside his watchmaking.
- Open Dial — Skeleton or semi-skeleton pieces revealing the hand-finished movement architecture and co-axial escapement.
Timeline
- 1987 — Roger Smith begins studying under George Daniels on the Isle of Man after writing to him as a young watchmaking student.
- 2001 — Completes his first fully hand-made watch, establishing himself as Daniels' successor in independent British watchmaking.
- 2006 — Formally establishes Roger W. Smith Ltd. on the Isle of Man.
- 2011 — George Daniels passes away; Smith continues as the sole practitioner of the Daniels method and co-axial escapement tradition.
- 2019 — A Roger W. Smith Series 2 sells for over £400,000 at auction, confirming the brand's collector status.
- 2025 — Isle of Man-based master watchmaker continues producing approximately 10 watches per year, carrying on the legacy of his mentor George Daniels with hand-made movements.
Frequently Asked Questions about Roger W. Smith Ltd.
- What is the co-axial escapement?
- Invented by George Daniels, the co-axial escapement reduces friction compared to the Swiss lever escapement, theoretically requiring less frequent servicing. Roger W. Smith is the only watchmaker who continues to hand-make it.
- How many watches does Roger W. Smith produce per year?
- Roughly 8 to 12 watches annually, all hand-made by Smith and a very small team on the Isle of Man, making them among the rarest modern timepieces.