George Daniels

• automatic gilt brass movement, slim Co-Axial escapement, mono-metallic free-sprung balance, gold guilloché rotor, the movement plate with eccentric outer rim engraved with foliate decoration • silvered engine-turned dial, yellow gold Daniels hands, eccentric yellow gold chapter ring for time display with roman numerals, yellow gold date ring with arabic numerals, silver cartouches on either side signed Daniels London • winding crown positioned between 7 and 8 o'clock, sapphire crystal display back • case, dial and movement signed  • case hallmarked for London 1999, maker's mark GD • with a yellow gold George Daniels buckle

The movement is running and the date is advancing at the time of cataloguing. Dial in good condition. Case with light scuffs from wear but overall in good condition. Buckle also with light scuffs. The watch has not been tested to determine the accuracy of its timekeeping. Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement and that a service may be required at the buyer's discretion.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."

Accompanied by a hand written letter from George Daniels dated April 2000 and presentation case.

Designed by George in 1997, this watch marque houses some of the first co-axial movements off the Omega production line and is the culmination of a lifetime’s work by George to convince a reluctant Swiss watch industry that his escapement was the future for mechanical timekeeping. 

The mechanism was heavily modified by George and me in his Riversdale studio and was one of sixty pieces made over a three year period.

In the design of the Millennium wristwatch George transposed the aesthetics of his pocket watches into this wrist watch perfectly. By offsetting the mechanism within the case and artfully adding a calendar complication into the position normally reserved for the offset seconds, George created a wonderfully balanced dial and a perfectly realised wrist watch.

From my perspective, the Millennium watch was our first, but penultimate, collaboration, which would conclude with our Anniversary watch which George sealed with his approval just months before his death in October 2011.

[The above extract was written by Roger Smith]

The Millennium series with slim Co-Axial escapement was so named and made to commemorate the start of the new millennium.

The objective of the Co-Axial escapement - invented by George Daniels in the mid 1970s - was to improve the long-term performance of the mechanical watch. The escapement is virtually without sliding friction which means that, unlike the conventional lever escapement, the rate is unaffected by the viscosity of the lubricant.

Initially Dr. Daniels had planned to only make a dozen Millennium watches in order to satisfy friends. However it transpired that the popularity and eager anticipation of such a watch meant that finally, a limited edition was made; comprising: 47 pieces in yellow gold and 7 pieces in white gold.