Discover Roger Smith’s Series 6: Modern Watchmaking Combined with Time-Honoured Technique

Lauded as an extraordinary talent in independent watchmaking, Roger W. Smith’s embodiment of impeccable craftsmanship will etch his name permanently in horological history. Known for releasing few models—just five in the last decade—while maintaining an annual production of only 15-20 pieces, Smith has managed to fuel a sense of exclusive desirability around his creations. This relative ‘silence’ was broken when he announced his latest model, the Series 6. Smith’s Series 6, in essence, seeks to simplify his earlier calendar watch, the Series 4, but delivers novelty through its ’traveling date aperture’ display, powered by an entirely new caliber. This intricate feature places a framing window on the current date, thus eliminating the potential clutter that a central hand might create on the dial. Meanwhile, the dial, adorned with hours, minutes, and subsidiary seconds, hides the mechanism behind this traveling date aperture. Presented in either a gold or platinum case of 40mm diameter, the Series 6 features an exhibition case back, showcasing the neat finish of the new movement. Another highlight—a nod to Smith’s legacy— is the inclusion of the revered Co-Axial escapement, the Daniels variant. Prospective owners will also be able to customize the dial, choosing between bleached silver and gold, and hand-engraved or hand-engine-turned design. Elegant components, embodying Smith’s English style, are meticulously CNC machined. Despite using machine-assisted manufacture, the team dedicates 80% of their time to hand-finishing components, illustrating their commitment to their craft. Diving deeper into the artistry of the Series 6, one would be pressed not to inspect Smith’s storied history with calendar watches. A calendar function, as seen in his Series 3, Series 4, and now the Series 6, has been a symbolic link to his mentor George Daniels. This specific horological attribute carries a lineage to Daniels, who himself was an adept creator of calendar watches. Hence, Smith’s emphasis on calendar watches stands to testify his commitment to preserve tradition while persistently innovating with modern timepieces.