After several years with no additions to its line up, Roger W. Smith recently revealed the Series 6. Essentially a variation of the Series 4 triple calendar, the Series 6 is a time and date – hours, minutes, and seconds, plus the brand’s own “travelling date” that takes the form of a peripheral pointer under the main dial.

Much of the watch is familiar, including the architecture of the movement and finishing, but the Series 6 does enjoy several upgrades over earlier watches, including the latest version of the single wheel co-axial escapement.

Initial thoughts

The Series 6 is quintessential Roger W. Smith in look, feel, and execution (and price). The aesthetic is familiar and certainly well loved, while the quality of execution is high.

While its watches may not be hand “made,” they are certainly hand finished and the Series 6 illustrates that with its engine-turned dial, hand-made hands, and hand-engraved movement.

The under-dial mechanism for the date and keyless works are especially beautiful, despite being concealed. I imagine this approach to the hidden parts is not merely a watchmaker’s vanity; I expect an open-dial version to come along in due time – if it has not already been ordered by a client.

The Series 6 also demonstrates the advances made by the brand in terms of manufacturing. Equipped with modern equipment like CNC mills, Roger W. Smith watches today are far, far, far more refined than its earliest creations.

Like the brand’s other watches, the Series 6 comes with the mystique of “English” watchmaking and the George Daniels legacy. Mr Smith is the successor to Daniels, and it is not just a philosophical inheritance; the basic architecture of the movement is derived from the Daniels Anniversary (just like the other Roger W. Smith calibres). The intangible qualities of the Series 6 are, in other words, substantial.

All of that, qualities tangible and intangible, come at a price.

Like many other independents, Roger W. Smith had a great run during the pandemic boom with the value of its watches skyrocketing on the secondary market. Perhaps an all-time record was set for a Roger W. Smith wristwatch during that period when one open-dial example sold for close to US$1 million in a private transaction.

Roger W. Smith raised its retail prices correspondingly and as a result, the Series 6 is expensive. It starts at about US$400,000 before taxes with a gold case, with options like a platinum case or solid-gold movement costing (much) more. That’s about the same as a Vacheron Constantin Tribute to the Quest of Time or Urban Jürgensen UJ-1.

I respect and admire the business Mr Smith has built, and I also like the feel and style of his watches. But I can’t rationalise the price, even with lots of imagination.

That said, I am certain he has sold several already, and will sell several more. So it is clear that for many collectors who can afford one, the price is acceptable.

Made in England(ish)

The Series 6 is clearly an evolution of Roger W. Smith’s past watches, retaining the same case, dial style, and base calibre.

It debuts in a 40 mm case, though I believe the option of a smaller size is offered, with the classic engine-turned dial featuring applied chapter rings. A variety of customisation options are available, as evidenced by past creations.

From the back, the look is once again familiar, with the distinctive movement styling modelled on historical English pocket watches. All of the hallmarks of the genre are there, including the frosted three-quarter plate, straight finger cocks, and engraved barrel cover.

Because the movement parts are made with modern techniques, the appearance mimics an old pocket watch movement, but the details are cleaner and more precise.

But the movement still boasts lots of hand finishing, ranging from hand engraving to the mirror polished bridge for the co-axial escapement that now relies on a more efficient single wheel instead of two superimposed wheels as devised by Daniels originally.

The key mechanical novelty of the Series 6 is the instantaneous date that is driven by a set of impeccably finished wheels, levers, and springs under the dial.

Mechanically, the date mechanism is a straightforward instantaneous affair, but the execution of the components is elaborate. Here the quality of make is especially obvious, particularly with the steel parts and springs, which are all beautifully formed and finished.

Key facts and price

Diameter: 40 mm
Height: ~13 mm
Material: 18k gold or platinum
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: Splash resistant

Movement: Series 6 movement
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, and instantaneous date
Winding: Hand-wound
Frequency: 18,000 beats per hour (2.5 Hz)
Power reserve: 48 hours

Strap: Alligator with pin buckle (matched to case material)

Limited edition: Each is made to order and to client’s specifications 
Availability: Direct from Roger W. Smith
Price: Starting at £320,000 before taxes

For more, visit Rwsmithwatches.com.