George Daniels - The Geneva Watch Auction: NINE Geneva Saturday, May 11, 2019 | Phillips
  • Video

    Geneva Watch Auction: NINE | Lot 32

    Detail views of George Daniels Anniversary Watch

  • Manufacturer: George Daniels
    Year: circa 2010
    Movement No: Movement stamped with limited edition number 24/35
    Model Name: Anniversary Watch
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, co-axial escapement
    Bracelet/Strap: Alligator
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold George Daniels deployant buckle
    Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by an original fitted box with key, presentation manual, cleaning cloth, setting pin and extra alligator strap
    Literature: George Daniels : A WatchMaker and His Art by Michael Clerizo

  • Catalogue Essay

    Considered as one of the greatest watchmakers of the past century and the grandfather of independent horology, George Daniels' body of work consisted on a constant desire to improve upon the traditional lever escapement.

    His co-axial escapement, invented in 1975, was considered to be the greatest horological innovation of the past 250 years. This escapement is a modification of the lever escapement with some features of the detent escapement. It functions with a system of three pallets that separate the locking function from the impulse, avoiding the sliding friction of the lever escapement. This makes lubrication of the pallets theoretically unnecessary and thereby minimizes one of the shortcomings of the traditional lever escapement.

    In celebration of the 35th anniversary of this groundbreaking invention, George Daniels set out to produce 35 hand-made watches. Inspired by his famous tourbillon chronograph pocket watch created in 1994, Daniels and Roger Smith set out to create a new British caliber that was to be produced by Roger W. Smith and finished to Daniels’ exacting standards and style.

    The Anniversary Watch is a concentrate of Daniels' genie and design ethos in a wristwatch, says Daniels about this piece “My goal has always been to make watches which provide historical, technical, intellectual, aesthetic, amusing and useful qualities. This wrist watch is a culmination of over 40 years of watchmaking and unashamedly takes inspiration from several pieces in my body of work. The 18 carat gold case houses a completely new and original Daniels calibre which is fitted with a calendar and power reserve complication and, along with the minute, hour and seconds, provides all the information that a fine watch should.”

    The 40mm gold case sits perfectly on the wrist whereas the hand guilloché dial is a gem of design and craftsmanship. The movement tactfully balances traditional British looks and the groundbreaking co-axial escapement.

    Only 35 of these pieces were ever made, and the present Daniels Anniversary Watch would be a wonderful addition to any collection of distinction. And, indeed, an opportunity that the most demanding and educated collectors should not miss.

32

An extremely rare, historically important and attractive yellow gold wristwatch with power reserve indicator and date

circa 2010
40mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF180,000 - 360,000 
€160,000-321,000
$181,000-363,000

Sold for CHF456,250

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Sale
+ 41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: NINE

Geneva Auction 11-12 May 2019