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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Prototype wristwatch dial and case

Prototype for the 'Anniversary' wristwatch by George Daniels and Roger Smith

Partially verified

This prototype dial and case was made in 2010 in the Isle of Man by George Daniels and Roger Smith to demonstrate the exterior design of their collaborative 'Anniversary' wristwatch. The piece features an 18-carat rose gold case fitted to a brown leather strap and an engine-turned silver dial with gold chapter rings and gold hands. Visible indicators on the dial include subsidiary seconds, a calendar date dial, and a power reserve indicator. As a display prototype made to show outward appearance, the source reports that it contains no movement.

Front view of the prototype 'Anniversary' wristwatch dial and case on a brown leather strap
Front view of the prototype 'Anniversary' wristwatch dial and case on a brown leather strap — The Clockmakers' Museum/Clarissa Bruce © The Clockmakers’ Charity. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk
Category
Wristwatch · Prototype wristwatch dial and case
Maker / attribution
Roger W Smith and George Daniels
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
L2015-4227
Source-reported date
2010
Country
Isle of Man

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Object Identity and Collaborative Context

This object is a prototype wristwatch dial and case made in 2010 in the Isle of Man by Roger W Smith and George Daniels. The prototype was produced to demonstrate the outward appearance of a collaborative watch between the two makers, designated the 'Anniversary' wristwatch.

Unlike the 35 final production watches—which the source notes featured a hand-made movement fitted with Daniels' co-axial escapement and a free-sprung balance—this prototype was created solely to show exterior styling and has no movement. It is catalogued under Clockmakers' Museum No. 1317 and loan number L2015-4227, lent by The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers.

Evidence for this section
  • “Made: 2010 in Isle of Man maker: Roger W Smith and George Daniels”
  • “This prototype wristwatch was made to demonstrate the outward appearance of a collaboration watch between George Daniels and Roger Smith, and as such has no movement.”
  • “The final watches, of which 35 were produced, featured a hand-made movement fitted with Daniels co-axial escapement and free-sprung balance.”
  • “Clockmakers' Museum No. 1317”
  • “Object Number: L2015-4227”
  • “credit: Lent by the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers”

Case and Materials

The prototype features an 18-carat rose gold case fitted to a brown leather strap displaying an embossed pattern. The institutional record catalogues the materials of the overall object as gold, silver, brass, steel, leather, and glass.

Because the piece was fabricated without a movement to demonstrate outward appearance, the internal chamber serves no operational timekeeping function. Direct inspection details of the case interior or case back are not recorded in this source.

Evidence for this section
  • “18 carat rose gold case.”
  • “Fitted to a brown leather strap with an embossed pattern”
  • “Materials: gold (metal) , silver (metal) , brass (copper, zinc alloy) , steel (metal) , leather and glass”
  • “This prototype wristwatch was made to demonstrate the outward appearance of a collaboration watch between George Daniels and Roger Smith, and as such has no movement.”

Dial Configuration and Visual Layout

The dial is made of engine-turned silver with gold chapter rings and gold hands, displaying a subsidiary seconds dial, a calendar indicator, and a power reserve indicator. Direct visual observation shows the sector power reserve indicator marked 'U' and 'D' positioned under the Roman numeral XII.

The lower dial register exhibits a calendar subdial calibrated 1 to 31 in the lower-left sector and an eccentric subsidiary seconds ring in the lower-right sector. An applied gold cartouche inscribed 'DANIELS' is positioned at 6 o'clock.

Evidence for this section
  • “Engine-turned silver dial with gold chapter-rings and gold hands. Displayed on the dial is a subsiduary seconds dial, calendar and a power reserve indicator.”
  • “Sector power reserve indicator marked 'U' and 'D' positioned under the Roman numeral XII”
  • “Calendar subdial calibrated 1 to 31 located on the lower-left sector”
  • “Eccentric subsidiary seconds ring located on the lower-right sector”
  • “Applied gold cartouche inscribed 'DANIELS' positioned at 6 o'clock”

Open research questions

  • Are there hallmarks or maker's marks stamped inside or outside the 18-carat rose gold case?
  • How is the dial assembly supported within the case cavity in the absence of a movement?
  • What specific method was used to secure the gold chapter rings and cartouche to the engine-turned silver plate?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Prototype for the 'Anniversary' wristwatch by George Daniels and Roger Smith
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case Material18 carat rose gold case“18 carat rose gold case.”
Dial ConstructionEngine-turned silver dial with gold chapter-rings and gold hands“Engine-turned silver dial with gold chapter-rings and gold hands.”
Movement StatusNo movement“This prototype wristwatch was made to demonstrate the outward appearance of a collaboration watch between George Daniels and Roger Smith, and as such has no movement.”
Museum Inventory NumberClockmakers' Museum No. 1317“Clockmakers' Museum No. 1317”
Object NumberL2015-4227“Object Number: L2015-4227”
LenderThe Worshipful Company of Clockmakers“credit: Lent by the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers”
Production Run of Final Model35 watches“The final watches, of which 35 were produced, featured a hand-made movement fitted with Daniels co-axial escapement and free-sprung balance.”
Maker CreditRoger W Smith and George Daniels“maker: Roger W Smith and George Daniels”

Visible details

  • Applied gold cartouche inscribed 'DANIELS' positioned at 6 o'clock
  • Sector power reserve indicator marked 'U' and 'D' positioned under the Roman numeral XII
  • Calendar subdial calibrated 1 to 31 located on the lower-left sector
  • Eccentric subsidiary seconds ring located on the lower-right sector
  • Fitted to a brown leather strap with an embossed pattern

Research qualifications

  • Source notes the watch has no movement and was constructed solely as an exterior appearance prototype.
  • Case back and movement chamber are not visible in the supplied photograph.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Prototype for the 'Anniversary' wristwatch by George Daniels and Roger Smith | Science Museum Group Collection

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record b2d92ac43d

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.