The latest issue of WatchTime Magazine has a 6-page review of the RGM Model 600-B. Issue June 2022
Roger Ruegger WatchTime magazines Editor-in-Chief spent time wearing the watch and testing it in real-world conditions.
Hand Painted Sunset on an RGM Model 25
Client’s original photograph
We had a client approach us with an idea for a watch with a picture of a sunset he took from his property, he asked if we could put this picture on a watch dial. The idea was when wearing this watch he could see his home view no matter where he traveled.
I suggested hand painting on mother of pearl inspired by his photograph, rather than using a photo. I explained that this would make a much higher quality presentation, and make for greater lasting value.
Next, we made artwork with a few options. He ultimately chose the one closest to his photograph with no added elements.
Artwork ideas
The RGM Model 25 was chosen as the starting point for this special custom watch, the Model 25 is an excellent versatile watch that we often use in custom projects. This particular watch is also fitted with a solid gold winding rotor made here at RGM.
Once the artwork was completed we choose an artist to do the hand painting on our MOP dial. We make many things here at RGM but we also partner with many artists around the world for specific needs, like in this case miniature hand painting.
The completed custom watch
The mother of pearl showing thru the sky and the beach elements of the scene give life to the background and really add to the beauty of the finished watch.
It is very satisfying when a custom project comes together and exceeds my expectations. this one did not disappoint!
Other artwork concepts
(New) - RGM Model 600-B
First New Model to be released during our 30th Anniversary year, 1992-2022
New Blue Dial option for our Vintage-Inspired Chronograph
The Model 600-B design was inspired by military and pilot chronographs of the 1960s and ‘70s. The dial’s military aesthetic makes it easy to read; the time and chronograph functions are legible with a simple glance at the wrist.
Each detail was carefully crafted to reflect the appeal of vintage military watches, including the general layout, and replicating numerical fonts to achieve a bona fide military chronograph look. The dial and hands feature X1 SuperLumaNova for low-light visibility. As an homage to vintage design, we opted to forgo including a calendar or display case-back.
The Model 600 and Model 600-B are the first RGM models with a box-style raised sapphire crystal, bolstering the classic design element and allowing for a slimmer profile.
Click here for the webpage
RGM Keystone Deployant Clasp
2022 is our 30th Anniversary and we are happy to introduce our brand new RGM Keystone Deployant Clasp. This high-quality new clasp is available in 18mm and 20mm buckle sizes.
Please Consider Making a Modest Donation
Hello RGM Friends,
I had to take a small woodpecker up to this center yesterday because it has an injured wing and could not fly. Red Creek Wildlife Center is one of the few that accepts almost any type of wild animal for rehabilitation care. They need support to keep the doors open, so please consider making a modest donation to them and to one of your local centers also.
You can make a PayPal donation thru their website below.
Thank you
Roland Murphy
RGM Watch Co.
RGM Watch - Celebrating Our 30th Anniversary 1992-2022
Celebrating Our 30th Anniversary
1992-2022
Throughout 2022 RGM will introduce special timepieces to mark our 30th year
The watch that started it all, the RGM Model 101-M
Visit RGM’s Virtual Museum - Click Here
See a new video from Art Insider about RGM Watches
New video from Art Insider about RGM Watch Co.
Roland Murphy RGM's Founder Talks About the Beginning of RGM
We have been working on a small video series about RGM. Enjoy this first video in the series. RGM’s founder Roland Murphy talks about the beginning of RGM.
RGM's Recent Custom Pocket Watches
Hunter Case with Engine-Turned Dial
RGM will mark its 30th year making watches next year in 2022. Overall those years we have made a lot of custom watches for our clients, but we never had a client order a pocket watch until the last few years. Then in the span of two years, we made 3 custom pocket watches each with our in-house 801 movement. We love working on new projects and creating watches for our clients, and working closely with them to achieve their vision while using our experience to make the best watch we can for them.
Open face with Engine-Turned Dial
Custom is not a cost savings way to buy a watch, but it is and can be a very special way to mark a time in your life or create the watch you have dreamed of. For those who choose to go down this road, it can be a very special opportunity to have a unique watch that will last for generations and can be handed down through your family.
Stars around dial to denote original 13 colonies
I have always loved pocket watches and I wondered for years why no one ever ordered one. Even if no one ever orders one again it’s nice to have worked on these special projects and created these lasting treasures.
Roland Murphy
NAWCC Podcast w/RGM's Roland Murphy, topic Chess legend Paul Morphy & his Watch
NAWCC Podcast with RGM's Roland Murphy talking about Chess Legend Paul Morphy and his watch.
You can skip to the RGM portion if you want at 36:34
Here are the respective links:
A Very Special Custom Commission - The RGM Model 25 “Kauai”
Last year we started talking with our client about a watch he wanted to make with the Island of Kauai on the dial. After a few conversations and some brainstorming, we helped him with the design concept and the end result was one of the most stunning custom pieces we have ever made.
We recommend a multi-piece dial the gives depth and helps with the transition of color and techniques. Engine-turning was used to give the look of water, we also did it in a random way to help with the waves being more natural-looking. The island itself is slightly taller than the engine-turned water and is engraved with the map details, it also has a solid gold setting holding a small diamond to mark the city of our clients choice.
We also thought engraved solid rose gold plaques screwed to the dial would be a beautiful way to show the island name and of course RGM.
For reading the time we have classic blued steel Breguet style hands, and in the track, we have four roman numerals and diamond-shaped five-minute markers. The watch is a customized version of our RGM Model 25 with a solid rose gold winding rotor.
The end result of the watch exceeded our client’s expectations, we hope he has many years of enjoyment wearing his custom RGM watch.
Link to Article SJX did on this watch - Click Here
RGM Team
Teddy Baldassarre Visits RGM (See Video)
We had a very nice visit from Teddy Baldassarre a few weeks ago and showed him many of the things we do when making our watches. Teddy and his team did a great job creating the video below. Enjoy
The Story Behind 3 Different RGM Tourbillon Models
RGM Pennsylvania Tourbillon (In-House Movement)
Here at RGM, we have had an interest in tourbillon watches for a long time. Most followers of RGM know about our in-house movement Pennsylvania tourbillon, the first tourbillon watch made in America in a series, but most are not aware of the other 2 models we made.
RGM Model 104-T (Lemania Movement)
The first RGM tourbillon model 104-T was made in the mid 1990’s and it was fitted with a Lemania movement, gold case, and of course a real engine-turned dial.
This was a very beautiful limited edition watch of 15 pieces, but only about 7 were made in rose gold, we also made one or two in white gold.
801 Tourbillon - Unique Piece (In-House w/Habring cage)
Around 2007 we wanted to introduce another RGM tourbillon, we had some talks with Richard Habring and we decided to make a prototype watch with his flying tourbillon cage. We modified one of our Caliber 801 movements by making a new main-plate and a few other parts, then the Habring cage was fitted to our movement.
Only one watch was made because by the time it was finished we had already decided we needed to have an in-house tourbillon cage and movement, so we abandoned the Habring project and put our efforts into making the Pennsylvania tourbillon here in the USA. The Pennsylvania tourbillon was released in 2010.
Links of interest
Podcast with RGM's Roland Murphy
Independent Thinking - Roland G Murphy of @rgmwatches talks independent watchmaking and American horology
Fifth Wrist Radio
Link - Fifth Wrist Radio: Independent Thinking -
Another episode of the Independent Thinking Show for FifthWrist Radio. This is a place dedicate to showcasing the great people doing interesting and cool things in the world of horology.
Host: Roman (@TimesRomanAU) and Adam (@mediumwatch)
Guest: Roland G Murphy (@rgmwatches)
In this episode, we chat with a very special guest - American independent watchmaker Roland G Murphy of RGM Watch Company.
Join us for a conversation about independent watchmaking, American horological history, the art of engine-turning; and Roland’s forthright advice for watchmakers and collectors based on his nearly 30-year career as an independent horologist.
If you are passionate about watches, horological art and independent watchmaking – you do not want miss this one!
Shout-outs in this episode to friend of Fifth Wrist Radio: Jochen Benzinger (@benzingerwatches), David Walter (@davide.walter) and Joshua Shapiro (@jnshapiro_watches).
Recommendations from this episode
Roland: Book: “American Watchmaking: A Technical History of the American Watch Industry, 1850-1930” by Michael C Harrold
Adam: Otto Frei Store (https://www.ottofrei.com/)
Roman: @apam002
Follow Roland on Instagram @rgmwatches or rgmwatches.com
New Theme Music for 2021: Circle Round by Spinning Clocks (via YouTube Free Music Channel)
Follow us on Instagram: @FifthWrist
Fifth Wrist website and Fifth Wrist Radio podcast are projects run entirely by a bunch of enthusiasts, watchmakers and collectors. We pride ourselves on being by the watch community and for the watch community. We have zero sponsorship or advertising and welcome all honest and unbiased opinions. We reject all forms of outside brand intervention and take no cash, watches or other goods from watch companies.
RGM Adds New Vintage Inspired Chronograph to Collection - Pre-Order Yours
RGM introduces the Model 600 Chronograph
The Model 600’s design was inspired by military and pilot chronographs of the 1960s and ‘70s. The dial’s military aesthetic makes it easy to read; the time and chronograph functions are legible with a simple glance at the wrist.
Each detail was carefully crafted to reflect the appeal of vintage military watches, including the general layout, and replicating numerical fonts to achieve a bona fide military chronograph look. The dial and hands feature X1 SuperLumaNova for low-light visibility. As an homage to vintage design, we opted to forgo including a calendar or display case-back.
The Model 600 is RGM’s first production model with a box-style raised sapphire crystal, bolstering the classic design element and allowing for a slimmer profile.
The watch will be available at the End of May 2021, and to reward you for the wait anyone who pre orders the Model 600 before the end of May will receive the following extra perks.
Pre Orders only get:
-Extra strap - you will get a Brown and a Black strap
-3 year warranty in place of the standard 2 year warranty
-RGM watch related gifts
Price $4250.
We have a new RGM chronograph coming!
This new RGM chronograph will have an automatic Valjoux 7753 movement and will be 42mm in diameter. It will be the first RGM series piece with a raised sapphire box style crystal.
More news soon!
New Dial Colors for the RGM Model 500-GMT
Model 500-GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)
The Model 500-GMT is the first RGM with a bi-directional-turning GMT bezel. The watch is designed as a sport watch that is also ideal for travel when using the 24-hour GMT hand and bezel.
Now we have added two more dial colors to widen the appeal of this beautiful sport/tool watch. We have chosen a matte gray and green dial, and added rhodium finished hands. These new models also have a world map engraved on the case-back. You might also notice the GMT hand is also new, making these new versions much different then the Richard Sachs version that is still available.
The Missing RGM Watch Made for Terry Bradshaw
A few years ago we were approached by a representative of the Friars Club to make a watch for football legend Terry Bradshaw. The watch had to be ready before Super Bowl XLIX, so that it could be gifted to him in Arizona that week.
Unfortunately, it seemed like the entire country was battling some kind of inclement weather, and Terry’s arrival in Arizona was delayed. The Friars Club decided that they would have to reschedule the surprise presentation, and determined that it would be presented to him at an upcoming luncheon in New York.
We found out many months later the watch was missing and no one knew what happen to it. Presumably it was lost or stolen in Arizona during pre-game Super Bowl festivities that week.
Knowing that Terry would never receive this watch, disappointment set in at RGM. This is the first time we are showing full photos of the custom RGM 151 bearing Terry Bradshaw’s signature on the dial.
Special Offer for our Followers
Special offer for our followers-
Order any RGM watch before the end of the year and receive the following.
1. 3 year warranty.
2. An extra strap.
3. RGM goodies.
Just mention this special offer when placing an order.
WatchTime Live Video of "The Future of Watchmaking" Presentation
From the WatchTime Live event form October 2020. RGM’s Roland Murphy was part of this online question and answer with WatchTime’s Roger Ruegger.