This is an early example of the Millennium*, a watch devised by Dr. George Daniels to celebrate the mainstream acceptance of his most notable invention the Co-Axial escapement. Daniels created the Millennium series starting in 1998, with the help of his sole apprentice, Roger W. Smith. This example, one of 47 in yellow gold, came in the second year of production. It features a silver dial decorated with engine turning of a number of patterns and a self-winding calibre with the Co-Axial escapement. Daniels created this for a friend and engraved their initials on the display caseback. The set is enriched by extensive hand-written documentation from Daniels chronicling the creation of the watch.
Dr George Daniels is rightly recognised as one of the greatest watchmakers of the 20th century. In 1981, he received an MBE for his services to horology, along with a CBE in 2010 the first watchmaker ever to receive such an honour. During his lifetime, Daniels was one of the few makers who created complete watches by hand from his workshop on the Isle of Man.
Launched in 1998, the Millennium was originally planned as a series of 10 watches to celebrate the acceptance of the Daniels Co-Axial escapement by the Swiss watch industry, a lifelong ambition of the watchmaker. However, owing to demand, the series was extended. In the end, it is understood that 47 yellow gold and 8 white gold Millenniums were produced.
The series is doubly consequential because to create it, for the first time in his career, Daniels enlisted the help of an apprentice. This was after Roger W. Smith built two pocket watches entirely by hand over the course of several years, hoping to prove himself to Daniels. The young watchmakers efforts were rewarded when Daniels invited him to the Isle of Man to work on the Millennium.
While this represented the first serially produced Daniels ever, this particular example which was created in 1999 upheld the makers prior history of only creating watches for friends and associates. In fact, this most complete example of the Millennium comes with the complete set of hand-written correspondence with the watchmaker periodically communicating progress on the piece to somebody close to the watchmaker.
The Millennium in many ways is thoroughly modern, with a self-winding Omega bauche that was extensively redesigned by Daniels and Smith over the course of three years. At its heart is the Co-Axial escapement. This route was fitting since it was Omega, under the leadership of Nicholas Hayek, that took a chance on Daniels innovative escapement.
It is of a yellow gold variety, with the case measuring 37mm across and wholly classical in countenance, thanks to a double stepped and rounded bezel, meeting a curved midcase. The rim of the caseback is rounded too. Originating from the midcase are the slim lugs that are drilled through. Their 19mm distance is furnished with a brown alligator-style leather strap secured by a yellow gold pin buckle. The fluted crown lies on the left flank at the 8 oclock position, a visual reminder that inside lies a self-winding calibre.
The silver dial is replete with different patterns. The outermost section is engine turned, while the portion inside the time display features a basket weave decoration. Inside the date display is hobnail patterning of a smaller scale, to visually distinguish this section.
The time display is framed by a gold chapter engraved with minute plots and Roman hours. The date display is similarly delineated, with the Arabic engravings achieved in a Baroque style. In place of the 31st day of the month is a diamond. The gold hands complete the picture the one indicating the hours has an arrow-tip while the minutes hand has a prominent counterweight.
Visible through the caseback is the self-winding calibre with an overall gilded appearance punctuated with blued screws. The winding rotor has a barleycorn pattern, while the bridge around the calibre is adorned with an intricate floral pattern achieved by London-based master engraver Charles Scarr. He had long collaborated with Daniels and is responsible for much of the engravings on the watchmakers pieces over the years. The calibre wears engravings marking it is as a Daniels watch and one featuring his Co-Axial escapement.
The Millennium was clearly born of a desire for modernity. However, its link to the storied past of watchmaking craft channelled through the most important watchmaker of the 20thcentury is obvious. That it comes with hand written notes from this master watchmaker makes this full set all the more historically significant.
Closer look
Brand: | George Daniels |
Model: | Millenium |
Movement: | automatic |
Functions: | date, hours, minutes, centre-seconds |
Features: | sterling silver guilloch dial, display back, yellow gold hands |
Case material: | yellow gold |
Case diameter: | 37mm |
Case thickness: | 11mm |
Lug-to-lug: | 40.5mm |
Crystal: | sapphire front & back |
Strap: | George Daniels brown alligator strap, George Daniels yellow gold pin buckle |
Lug width: | 19 x 15mm (curved) |
Year: | c. 1999 |
Accompanying materials: | George Daniels leather box, handwritten invoice letter from George Daniels, promotional material, Daniels Co-Axial Escapement leaflet |
Condition
This George Daniels Millennium is in excellent overall condition. The case and lugs have been well preserved, showing light superficial marks. The dial, hands, and movement are free from any signs of imperfections and have been equally well preserved. All hallmarks and engravings found on the caseback rim are crisp and well defined, as are those on the pin buckle.
Warranty
The watch comes with a two-year warranty from A Collected Man, alongside a lifetime guarantee of authenticity.