George Daniels

• gilt brass movement signed Geo. Daniels, London, sjd, two going-barrels engaging a common offset centre-pinion, 36 hour duration, Earnshaw's spring detent chronometer escapement mounted in a polished steel one-minute tourbillon carriage under a polished steel bridge, mono-metallic stainless steel four-arm balance with gold adjusting weights, overcoil balance spring with isochronal adjusting screw, retrograde hour hand mechanism • silver engine-turned dial, polished minutes chapter ring, quadrant for the retrograde hours, roman numerals, large interlaced subsidiary seconds ring, silver cartouche signed Daniels London, blued steel Daniels hands • engine-turned case with Daniels pendant and bow • case, dial and movement signed • hallmarked London 1970, case maker's mark GD • attached short gold graduated yellow gold double-link chain with gold and blued-steel double-ended key

George Daniels Retrospective Exhibition, Exhibit No.6, Sotheby's London, 18-23 July, 2006

The movement is in going order at the time of catalogue, however it would benefit from a clean. Dial in very good condition. The case with some light scuffs but overall in very good condition. A complete service should be carried out by Roger W. Smith. A service of this watch will be in the region of £6,000 - 9,000 + VAT. All prices are a guide only and subject to a full strip down and inspection of the piece in the Roger W. Smith Ltd studio, Isle of Man.
"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.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

Accompanied by a George Daniels presentation case.

This watch is a wonderful example of the early watches made by Dr. Daniels. After making his first watch in 1969 for Cecil Clutton, Dr. Daniels went on to produce a further seven of similar elegant design, all with slight variations. The Clutton watch had a pivoted detent whereas the subsequent watches had spring-detent chronometer escapements. It was not however a standard spring-detent escapement, Dr. Daniels had to improve upon it. The problem with a chronometer escapement is that it is not self-starting. Dr. Daniels altered the geometry of the escapement to ensure that the escape wheel is always unlocked when the balance is in the inert position which means that the Daniels chronometer escapement will always self-start, the watch simply appears to come alive.
These early watches were engraved with the initials of the intended recipient. 

Andrew Crisford, Introduction to The George Daniels Retrospective Exhibition, Sotheby's, p.12-13.