Guilloché Dial Options Created in RGM's PA Workshop

Dear ,

This month's newsletter features the first wristwatch series to use a vintage US pocket watch movement:  RGM's Reference 222.  Lancaster County's watchmaking history is something of which Roland Murphy is proud.  He sees to it that his company stays true to the local heritage by employing many "old school" techniques of design and decoration, and by running a business that is focused on quality and close interaction with its customers.

RGM has found another way to honor this local heritage while introducing a watch unlike any that has been made before:  the Reference 222 is the first wristwatch to be produced in a series using a vintage American-made pocket watch movement.
 

American Ingenuity

The original 10-size movements made by Hamilton in Lancaster, PA, beginning in 1937 included Grades 917 (17 jewels), 921 (21j), and 923 (23j).  A later addition to the family was Grade 945, a sort of hybrid movement with the same 23 jewel configuration as the 923 but decorated like the lower-grade 917 and lacking the swan's-neck regulator spring of the 921 and 923.  There were many thousands of Hamilton 10-size movements made between 1937 and the 1950's, but they are not a hot topic of discussion among most collectors of Hamilton, nor are they particularly sought after except for some uncommon examples.

Model 222 Original Version

A Modern Approach

As homage to the great watchmaking tradition of his adopted home and as the introductory watch in the "Signature Series" line, Roland felt that there would be great appeal in "the heritage of the original movement and the modern RGM construction of the watch."  To that end, he and GM/Chief Designer Rich Baugh worked hard to create a package that would capture the essence of the mid-century era that produced the Hamilton 10-size movements yet would be true to RGM style.

The result of their combined vision is a stunning dial of rather simple design but with subtly complex layering.  A modern interpretation of the "sunken" effect of many vintage pocket watch dials, the dial of Ref. 222 is at once modern and classic, an apt description for most RGM timepieces.

A 41 mm steel case with sturdy lugs and a shapely bezel contains the movement and dial, which are visible through a pair of sapphire windows.  The large dial, with a combination of brushed and matte silver finishes, is labeled simply with the name of its maker and the name of the area to which it pays tribute.  Lovely blued steel hands indicate the hours, minutes and small seconds.  No numerals or superfluous text is present.  Subtle fine touches such as the screwed strap bars and onion crown complete a harmonious package that evokes times gone by.

Model 222 with Hand-Made Guilloché Dial

Vintage Calibers Revitalized

Just as the former Hamilton factory in Lancaster offered a variety of grades of the 10-size movement, RGM is offering all the added bonus of choices of decoration.  The movements chosen for inclusion in the Ref. 222 watches have been restored to their original condition when possible.  This allows the owner to enjoy the lovely côtes de Genève or côtes circulaires finish applied when the movements were made.  Some of these movements, though they could be restored to their original levels of accuracy and reliability, were scratched or otherwise marked so that maintaining their original finish was not an option.  Rather than viewing this as a difficulty, RGM considered it an opportunity.  Armed with the ability to apply decorative guilloché or to have movements hand engraved, RGM can offer the Ref. 222 with any combination of four movement grades and at least three finishing options.  In addition, custom work can be commissioned, as is the case with all RGM timepieces. 

Full Skeleton Version

A Unique Opportunity

The Roland G. Murphy Signature Series watch may just open some eyes to the wonders of American horology, past and present.  Though many fine watch brands offer vintage European movements among their products, there is no other watch on the market today that features a high-grade American-made movement.  Considering that many of the finest American watches of yesteryear were made in Lancaster County, PA, it seems only fitting that no finer American-made watch brand is available than that of Lancaster County's own RGM.  Connoisseurs have welcomed the introduction of a timepiece that fuses these elements in a distinctive package.  Mr. Murphy put it succinctly himself when he described the new Ref. 222 as being "unique among the ocean of watches available today."

More information can be found at www.rgmwatches.com or by contacting the company directly.