From Europa Star
The Grand Feu Real Enamel dial is modeled after American railroad watches from the past. The blued-steel hands remain true to the classic form and the 1:30 crown position pays homage to early 20th century timepieces. It’s also very natural to read the time when worn on the left wrist.
New RGM Model 207
The Model 107 was the oldest watch in our line dating back to around 1997. The new 207 is the same diameter as the 107 at 35mm, but it’s a bit thicker ( 7.5 mm to 8.8mm) to accommodate a better construction that will also allow for more custom dials of a greater thickness.
The new Model 207 case has a larger crown for ease of winding and setting. The case changes make it easier for us to refinish and service the watch, which is a big improvement for the customer and the watchmaker.
The movement and the dials are the same and we will be adding new dial options over the next few years, and of course we can always work on a custom dial option.
Old Model RGM 107
You can see RGM’s Roland Murphy on Saturday
Moderated by Roger Ruegger with
Joe Kirk, Grand Seiko Brand Curator
Roland Murphy, Founder & Watchmaker RGM Watches
Tickets: https://www.watchtimeevents.com/
You can see the full weeks schedule here, https://www.watchtimeevents.com/schedule
Bringing the watch community together
We are very excited to keep the connection between collectors and watch brands strong this year.
WatchTime LIVE brings the best of WatchTime's live events to you in a new virtual format featuring watch brand presentations, industry panel discussions, and interactive conversations between collectors and brands.
WatchTime Live is accessible from anywhere in the world! The event
will be live streaming via ZOOM so please have the most updated version
on your device.
Type II Montgomery Marginal Minute Dial
Model 222-RR (Railroad)
Inspired by America's Great Railroad Watches from the Past
The Model 222-RR is a modern wristwatch with a vintage heart, featuring a Hamilton 10 sized pocket watch movement. RGM was the first to use these wonderful classic movements in a wristwatch. Our vintage Hamilton movements are rebuilt using parts that are in optimum condition, including a new mainspring made for this movement. We flat polish the steel parts by hand on a tin block to better-than-original condition. The entire process of careful reassembly to precise adjustment of the movement is managed by one watchmaker. The grade 921 movement has 21 jewels and was made in large quantities; the grade 923 has 23 jewels and is rare, with less than 4,000 movements manufactured.
The Grand Feu Real Enamel dial is modeled after American railroad watches from the past. The blued-steel hands remain true to the classic form and the 1:30 crown position pays homage to early 20th century timepieces. It’s also very natural to read the time when worn on the left wrist.
New Dial Version - Type II MONTGOMERY MARGINAL MINUTE STYLE DIAL
Henry S. Montgomery was the General Watch & Clock Inspector of the AT&SF Railroad from 1896 to 1923. Mr. Montgomery patented his first marginal minute safety dial design Type-I around 1906. RGM’s dial is inspired by the rare Type-II dial variation that was patented in 1920.
Patent Drawing from 1920
A Montgomery dial displays minutes 1-60 along the outer edge, with every fifth number in red. Some collectors say that a "true" Montgomery dial must have an hour number 6 visible inside the seconds register. Dials approved for use on the railroads needed to be functional and readable, even under adverse conditions. Most American watch companies used Montgomery dials on many of their railroad-grade watches.
Kiran Shekar ask Roland questions about the history of RGM’s movement making, and his motivation and timing behind RGM’s in-house calibers.
You can listen to the Pod cast interview below.
Click here for link to Minutia Repeater Pod Cast interview with RGM’s Roland Murphy
We are very proud to announce that our very special Stone Marquetry Model 25 Yosemite is in this years GPHG. We are competing in the “Artistic Craft” category.
You can see all the competing watches at link below.
Last week, WatchTime launched its first virtual event: “An Hour up Close with Three of the World’s Leading Indies” moderated by our longtime event partner and close friend Jeff Kingston. The virtual event included brand presentations, industry panel discussions, and a live Q&A with watchmaker Kari Voutilainen, founder of the Geneva-based MB&F brand Maximilian Büsser, and WOSTEP-trained watchmaker and founder of RGM Watch Company, Roland G. Murphy.
After three presentations — on movement development, the re-introduction of traditional American designs, and the tribulations of being an independent watchmaker — the discussion began, in which attendees from across the globe were able to ask a series of questions, on topics ranging from how to make it as an independent watchmaker to where each panelist’s love of horology began. If you were unable to attend the live webcast, the full video discussion is below.
PART 2
Peter Speake-Marin’s The Naked Watchmaker Interviews RGM’s Roland Murphy
WatchTime is excited to present “An Hour up Close with Three of the World’s Leading Indies” next Thursday, August 20, 2020, at 12 pm EST, moderated by our longtime WatchTime event partner, Jeff Kingston. The best part? It is free via Zoom, and no mask is required. The online event includes watch brand presentations, industry panel discussions, and opportunities for you to join the conversation in real time.
The virtual panel features a live Q&A with a horological rock star, watchmaker Kari Voutilainen. Today, Voutilainen is the most well-regarded name on the independent-watchmaking scene, specializing in small-series and one-off watches.
Founder, owner, and creative mastermind behind the iconoclastic, Geneva-based MB&F brand, Maximilian Büsser made his mark with powerhouses like Jaeger-LeCoultre and Harry Winston before making his debut as an independent watchmaking entrepreneur.
Roland Murphy, founder of RGM Watch Company and a WOSTEP-trained watchmaker and watch manufacturer, introduced the RGM Caliber 801, which is widely regarded as the first high-grade mechanical watch movement made in America in four decades. Murphy followed it up in 2010 with the RGM Pennsylvania Tourbillon, containing RGM Caliber MM2 (for “manufacture movement 2″), with a tourbillion mechanism made in Lancaster County.
PART 1
Peter Speake-Marin’s The Naked Watchmaker Interviews RGM’s Roland Murphy
Link to article on Quill & Pad click here
RGM Model 25 Yosemite with stone marquetry dial
Yosemite National Park in northern California is for many nature lovers perhaps the greatest of all of the United States of America’s wondrous natural gifts with its ancient sequoia trees, towering rock granite formations, many waterfalls, 1,300 kilometers’ worth of breathtaking trails for walkers and hikers of every level, abundance of wildlife, crystal blue lakes, and super sweet, fresh air.
Called Ahwahnee (“big mouth”) by the indigenous people who lived there until the Mariposa Battalion of the California State Militia drove them out around 1851 in the Mariposa Wars, “Yosemite” refers to the Miwok tribe.
A few days or weeks within the park is like stopping time: it gives the body and mind space to breathe and rejuvenate.
I wish I could be relaxing in Yosemite Park’s lush Central Sierra embrace right now. But, alas, traveling to this all-American landmark is sadly very unlikely for quite a while – at least until the world stabilizes again. For now, my lovely memories of sunny family vacations in a natural paradise will have to suffice.
Luckily for anyone else who might be missing what could be a favorite place on earth, RGM has something special for just two lucky owners: a watch with a beautiful stone marquetry dial offering one of the most iconic views of this national treasure featuring three of its most prominent landmarks.
A closer view of Half Dome
Called Tunnel View, the vista is so famous because it shows off three of the park’s most prominent features framed by wondrous natural beauty as far as the eye can see. Tunnel View is easily reached right off the highway.
On the left side of the dial (and as seen from the famous Tunnel View), El Capitan is pictured, the granite monolith that one may pinpoint as the poster child of Yosemite’s extraordinary features. One kilometer of pure, vertical granite makes up the steep face of this landmark rock.
The center features Half Dome in the distance, another famous landmark rock formation, rising 1,444 meters into the sky. In case you’re interested, Half Dome is quite a bit easier to hike than El Capitan – until you get to the last 120 meters, where the steep ascent necessitating two steel cables as handholds (and a permit obtained in advance) make it more than challenging. A permit is necessary in high summer, as the park has registered as many as 1,000 hikers per day on that trail.
Hiking up Half Dome at Yosemite National Park: those last 120 meters are killer
On the right of the Tunnel View pictured on the dial, Bridalveil Fall (188 meters) is visible, one of the many beautiful examples of the hundreds of waterfalls in Yosemite, both because of its prominent positioning in the park and for the fact that it flows all year round.
RGM Model 25 Yosemite with stone marquetry dial
Famous for its high concentration of waterfalls, the park is also home to Yosemite Falls (739 meters), the highest waterfall in North America.
Bridalveil Fall at Yosemite National Park
The art of marquetry is about the interplay of grains, color, and texture using different types of stone to create a “puzzle” that achieves a precise artistic image. In some ways, marquetry is not that different from watchmaking, which also uses many small parts to form a complicated whole – one that looks simple yet artistic in the end.
RGM founder Roland Murphy explained that he found an artisan in eastern Europe capable of completing the oeuvre he had in mind. “We used several pictures, including some I took, to create the artwork used to make the dial.”
The artisan’s aim is to make the image as realistic as conceivable. From a distance, these dials almost look like paintings themselves, which is achieved with the help of detailed sketches before beginning the arduous work of placing slivers of stone together.
“We had two dials made and each is slightly different,” Murphy explained – which means two lucky people will get to own this watch in slightly different variations should they so desire. And each is a unique piece.
RGM’s Model 25 watches have an American made case. Inspired by the brand’s larger Pennsylvania series watches, the case has a ribbed, coin-edge case band, a beautifully contoured bezel, and downwardly curved lugs.
This case is not only made in the USA, it is made about as locally as it gets. The design is all RGM; the stainless steel used is sourced in the USA; and the individual case components are machined and wire-cut less than ten kilometers (six miles) away from RGM’s Mount Joy, Pennsylvania workshop. The brand’s own watchmakers and technicians do the final case finish, polish, and assembly.
As the brand’s own hand-turned guilloche dials are usually the focal point of Model 25, this case’s design was specifically made to highlight the dial with its large dial opening. Which is what you want with a genuine stone marquetry dial as well. So they are a perfect fit.
Fond memories of past travel: the author’s RGM Reference 151BE in Yosemite National Park with Half Dome in the background
The case back of this watch is solid, but Murphy promises something special for its future owner. “We will create an artwork with the client who buys the watch for a special engraving of Yosemite.”
RGM Model 25 Yosemite
For more information or to place an order please visit rgmwatches.com/rgmblog/2019/11/21/rgm-stone-marquetry-watch-dial-of-yosemite-national-park.
Quick Facts RGM Model 25 Yosemite Case: 40 x 10.4 mm, 316L stainless steel, American made
Dial: stone marquetry dial depicting Tunnel View of Yosemite National Park
Movement: automatic modified ETA 2892-A2-based caliber with custom gold rotor made by RGM, 4 Hz/28,800 vph frequency
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds
Price: $11,900
We have a few special RGM chronograph watches available. These watches all feature beautiful hand cut Engine-Turned (guilloché) dials made here at RGM. More on this art can be found here - Click Here.
First we have a beautiful RGM Model 160 with a custom grey dial, only two watches were made with this dial. Only one watch is available. 38mm stainless steel case., with a Valjoux 7751 movement. Offered at $7900.
The second watch is an RGM Model 160/180 Lefty, there are two of these watches available and then they are gone, this model was made about 10 years ago for a short while. 42mm stainless steel case., with a Valjoux 7751 movement. Offered at $7900.
Both models have blued steel hands, sapphire crystals front and back, and come on genuine alligator straps.
If interested in one of these watches please email sales@rgmwatches.com or call 717-653-9799 as soon as possible, as the limited availability watches we offered a few weeks ago went quickly.
Here we have an unsigned RGM Big-Date Prototype from about 12 to 15 years ago. We are offering this watch for sale.
The watch is stainless-steel with a hand cut silver Engine-Turned dial made here at RGM, the hands are blued steel. The case is 38.5mm in diameter and 10mm thick, with sapphire crystals front and back. The movement is a Swiss 2896 big-date.
If interested email sales@rgmwatches.com
We want to share this great resource for learning, it’s great for children and adults!
All the Best
RGM Watch Co.
RGM PS-801-E in Copenhagen Denmark Summer 2019
As the Coronavirus and its impact continues to evolve and develop, RGM remains focused on the health and safety of our employees and our community, as well as our commitment to you, our customers. For those reasons, we’ve temporarily suspended hosting visitors in an effort to stay in line with State and Federal recommendations and mandates.
We are still building watches and doing repairs. We are available by phone, email, and social media. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.
Thank you
Roland Murphy
RGM Watch Co.
The RGM Model 160/180 was made in a small series several years ago, it’s basically a larger lefty version of our Model 160. The watch is 42mm in diameter with an automatic Valjoux 7751 movement, the case is stainless-steel with sapphire crystals both front and back. The rectangle pushers and cabochon crown make this a very elegant triple date moon-phase chronograph. The most impressive feature is it’s beautiful solid silver hand cut Engine-Turned dial.
The two remaining watches are being offered at the special price of $7900. Contact us at 717-653-9799 or sales@rgmwatches.com
The brand’s latest piece is the Model 500-GMT, a sports watch designed in collaboration with bicycle frame building legend Richard Sachs. It has an ETA automatic in lieu of something in-house but is nevertheless a well-executed piece for the frequent traveler with an aesthetic born from two great artisans.
The RGM 801 Skeleton is one of the watches featured in the following Monochrome article.
“Well-executed dials, decorated with classic Grand Feu enamel or elaborate guilloché, can add thousands to the price and define the character of a piece; however, there are times when the sheer absence of a dial can result in the most intriguing aesthetic. André-Charles Caron, legendary clockmaker for Louis XV of France in the mid-18th century, developed the first skeleton watch around 1760. The style adds a visual sophistication that few dials can compete with and creates the ultimate horological spectacle. Here’s a list of eight great skeleton watches available today, ranging in price from “money is no object” to surprisingly accessible.”
In 1910, Robert Falcon Scott embarked on an ambitious expedition to Antarctica aboard the Terra Nova.
An intriguing story, beautiful images, things that I like…. Throughout my career that’s what inspired me to create many RGM models. The Terra Nova is a perfect example.
I came up an idea to make a multiple-piece dial that featured very classic elements, like a chapter ring with an engine-turned Breguet line, but with the center of the dial being fashioned from different materials, depending on the watch I wanted to make. But I needed a focal point for my idea.
Like most people, I searched the Internet and stumbled upon one of the most majestic maritime scenes I’d ever seen—a painting of the Terra Nova. When I dug into the ship’s background and mythology, I became even more fascinated. And the name was perfect, too.
The Inspiration
I’ve made several nautical-themed watches over the years. Sailing ships are strong, graceful, imbued with the mysteries of the deep. The Terra Nova painting evoked movement, and I wanted the dial miniature to do the exact same. I decided to use Mother of Pearl. Its multifaceted luster is a great canvas for this style of painting because, when you turn the watch, the background refracts light in various directions, reflecting the illusion of depth and motion.
The completed miniature painting
I visualized the finished piece over and over in my head as we set to work on creating our take on the Terra Nova. Once the in-house design was complete, we sent the art off with the Mother of Pearl for the miniature hand-paining work to be completed by a master artist. When the dial came back to us it was more beautiful than I’d imagined! I knew it was going to be one of the most captivating watches we’ve ever made. “It’s one of those watches you just keep looking at; I can’t take my eyes off it.”
I didn’t just want to make a watch, though. I wanted to tell the story of Terra Nova’s expedition through seldom-charted territory. The case-back gave me a place to do just that. During my research I found a 20th century map of Scott’s trek to the South Pole. The map had a lot of detail, which was great, but we had to draw it to scale, taking care to keep the integrity of the map intact while fitting it into onto a round case-back. Recreating the map proved just as technical as making the art. After 3 weeks of redrafts and edits we had a rendering of the map that was to be engraved onto the case-back.
I must say—it is very satisfying to watch a project like this take shape, to see the finished watch in your hand looking better than envisioned. Currently, there is only one Terra Nova watch, but we may make a few more pieces. I miss this watch already, but I know it’s in good hands.
If you have an idea, let RGM help you make it a reality that will last for generations.
Roland Murphy and the RGM Team
Click here to read more about Robert Falcon Scott’s Terra Nova Expedition
Leap year only comes once every four years, so we want to celebrate it with a special offer. Purchase or order any RGM watch between now and February 29th and get a custom-made strap of any color, a 3-year warranty, and a surprise gift at no extra charge. All you have to do is mention this offer when you place the order.
To help you choose the strap you want to make we will email you color and skin samples to choose from, and we can help you with recommendations based on your input if you would like.
