Independents

5 or so years ago I began to take an interest in the timepieces coming out of RGM's workshop in Pennsylvania.  The designs were interesting, and the movements, while certainly not comparable to best of the best, tended to be decent Swiss workhorse movements that were reasonably finished.  For a couple of years I enjoyed various RGM timepieces from afar, but nothing ever struck my fancy with sufficient force to cause a purchase.

The first RGM that crossed the threshold from "like it but" to "I want to wear that one" was the 222 series, which was actually branded Roland Murphy rather than RGM.  I picked up the model housing a Hamilton 923 pocket watch movement (Roland also created 222's with Hamilton 917 and 945 movements).  The dial side was well done, but the movement was sublime - just about the best that came from these shores in the early part of the 20th century.

I figured I had scratched the RGM itch with the 222 on the wrist, however soon after RGM launched the first truly American-made manufacture movement in many, many years.  The 801 was, to my eyes, nearly perfect.  The layout harkened back to a time when America was at or near the top of watchmaking prowess, and, at a more simple level, was just plain cool to look at.

RGM had always excelled at creating hand-made guilloche dials using antique rose engines, but now the inside of their watches had caught up to the outside.  I couldn't quite kick the thought of a custom engine-turned dial sitting on top of an 801 movement.  As I began to study dial options from across the web, I ran across a couple of guilloche patterns I hadn't seen before and quite liked.

It was at this point that I first reached out to Rich at RGM and the design process got underway.  The dial I had in mind would be complicated, but doable - it would just take some time.  Within a week or so we had agreed on the final design, as well as a couple of neat movement options (including wolf's teeth on the winding wheels) and the process began in earnest. 

From first communication to watch delivery took just over 1 year, and was well worth the wait.  I've worn this watch dozens of times since its arrival, and enjoy it just as much with each wear.

Here are a few scans which largely fail to capture the complexity of the dial, but unfortunately are the best I can manage.

One of the joys in choosing RGM as a partner in this journey is that they are extremely ready, willing and able to work with their customers to create custom timepieces. That experience shows through in the way in which they approach these types of projects.

I could not be happier with my 801, and am glad I'm finally able to share that joy here.

Thanks for reading.

Darren

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