This yellow goldSeries 2from 2008 represents a special, early chapter in s watchmaking story, as one of the earliestSeries 2s to be finished.Designed and made in the Isle of Man, the Series 2 is one of the smallest "production watches" in the world, with 62 examples (not including open dials)created to date.

An early Series II

Prototypes for the Series II having been completed in 2006, this is one of the earliest Series II watches produced and delivered.The round, yellow gold casemeasures 38 mm in diameter, excluding the fluted crown. Itisengraved "SERIES 2" and "No. XX-C on the reverse, along with the traditional, as well as the maker's own hallmarks.

The silver, round dial has an outer chapter of engraved, blackminute markers, with a trench separating it from a second chapter of hand-engraved, Roman numerals. The center of the dial occupies yet another, deeper section, with its hand-turned, basket-work pattern. A cartouche at twelve o'clock references "R. W. SMITH". Everything is hand-crafted from beginning to end, including the slender, yellowgoldhour and minute hands, tipped with spades.

At ten o'clock is the aperture for the power-reserve indicator, made from silver, adding yet another level of depth to the dial. This understated, yetintuitive display also has a basket-work guilloch pattern, with an engraved chapter on a polished silver strip and yellow gold up-and-down hand.

The large, sub-seconds register at six o'clock is decorated by a diamond-guilloch pattern, enclosed within a polished seconds chapter. Drilleddots mark the seconds, centering arounda slim, yellowgold seconds' hand, counter-balanced at one end.

A British Movement

The traditional movement is revealed through the sapphire case-back. Much like the dial, the movement side is equally impressive. This, together with the dominating three-quarter main plate, showswhyRoger W. Smith, OBE has become the flag-bearer for British horology. The movement is very-much inspired bythe British style ofpocket watches of Tompion, Graham and Arnold. It hasunderstated, English frostedfinishings in a combination ofwarm, golden tones, creatinga striking backdrop for the blue screws. A raised barrel bridge and balance cock add arevealingdepth to the movement.

Finally, the watch is equipped with arguably the greatest British contribution to watchmaking; theCo-Axial Escapement, invented by the late . The Co-Axial was the first practical invention since the lever escapement, created by Thomas Mudge in 1755, thus representing an important advancement in the dynamics of the watch. By re-designing the function of the components during impulse, the Co-Axial escapement operateswithout sliding friction. As a consequence, unlike a conventional watch, the rate is unaffected by the viscosity of lubricants, which can vary constantly with temperature, humidity, and age.

Back in2008, Roger equipped the watch with his own interpretation of Georges escapement, made bycombining two wheels. In 2010, hewould go on to develop one of the earliest versions of his own single-wheel design - the first major development of Daniels design by Smith.This early Series II, therefore, housesRoger Smith's earliest take on the Co-Axial escapement, most similar to that developed by Daniels himself.

TheSet

This yellow gold Series IIis accompanied by itsoriginal booklet and letter of authenticity from Roger Smith. It comeson one of ournubuck watch strap, and is also accompanied by a black alligator strap and yellow gold tang buckle fromRoger W. Smith.

A Collected Man is the seller of pre-owned Roger W. Smith watches. Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment.

Closer look