This is a unique example of Roger W. Smiths Series 4*. It is also the first example of the watch to be sold publicly. It features the watchmakers uncluttered take on the classical triple calendar and moonphase complication. It features a 41mm yellow gold case and it is powered by a manually wound calibre that employs Smiths third, single-wheel iteration of the Co-axial escapement.

The Series 4 was born out of Roger W. Smiths desire for a classically faithful triple calendar watch. While the Series 3 had included a retrograde date complication, the inclusion of a full calendar display, typically achieved through a pointer date, in addition to windows to display the day of the week and month, presented challenges of readability and overall adherence to the aesthetic intrinsic to the watchmaker. In addition, Smith wanted all displays to instantaneously change at midnight.

Smith presented his solution, the Series 4 with the first watch being finished in 2020. In fact, this first watch was also the 100th Roger W. Smith piece to leave his workshop. So far, only around 10 examples of this series are understood to have been produced in platinum, yellow, red and white gold.

The case, while formed in a way typical of the watchmaker, is remarkable in that at 41mm across and 14.5mm thick it is the most sizeable and modern example he has produced. It bears a rounded bezel that meets a subtly rotund midcase in an almost imperceptible lip. This detail repeats itself where the rounded bezel of the display caseback meets the midcase. At 9, 2 and 5 oclock are correctors to quickset the calendar and moonphase functions. The crown, large and fluted, is well suited to manually winding the calibre. At 6 oclock on the rim of the display caseback are brand, precious metal and London hallmarks as well as an engraved X and crown to mark the platinum jubilee of Queen Elizabeth IIs reign in 2022. The lugs, long and straight, curve down to meet the wrist in a squared off way. Their 19.5mm distance is covered by a black, Saffiano-grained leather strap secured by a robust, signed yellow gold pin buckle.

The bi-metal dial elegantly incorporates the calendar and moonphase complications. At the lowest level and lying on the periphery is the date display. It is created on a brushed silver base on which the Arabic dates, and alternating diamond indices, are engraved and filled in black. Mounted on a rotating disk that corresponds to this register is a heat-purpled, fork-style indicator that frames the date.

This is followed by a raised central portion that is home to the time, day, month, moonphase and seconds displays. The black, engraved Roman hours and minutes chapters are set out on circular brushed gold bases. They are separated by saut piqu rims. The central most portion is adorned with engine turning of a basket weave pattern. The hours chapter is interrupted by a gold-rimmed subsidiary seconds register. Inside it, partially obscured by the section decorated with hobnail engine turning, is the moonphase display. The blue on the moonphase is vibrant, with golden stars punctuating the sky. Closer examination reveals that the moons plying the display are two disks featuring basket weave engine turning. The moonphase display can be manipulated with the corrector at 5.

The corrector at 9 is used to set the date and the day of the week. Depressing it fully advances both date and day simultaneously. Half depressing the corrector advances just the date. The corrector at 2 advances the month. The day and month indications are at 12 and framed in black. The complications are exhibited on seven and 12-pronged wheels to avoid overlapping displays. Such a layered approach to presenting the triple calendar and moonphase means the information can be conveyed without any hands obscuring the dial for an extended period of time.

The hands, with hand-scalloped club ends, are heat purpled, same as the visible and obscured screws on the dial and movement sides.

The manually wound calibre powering the Series 4 appears identical to the makers watches unencumbered by complication. It is wholly English in appearance, with a dominant three-quarter plate with a frosted finishing. Much of the baseplate and the finger-style bridge for the fourth wheel of the going train also wear this aureate frosting. The bridge that is home to the free sprung balance however is adorned with ornate, free-hand engraving in a floral pattern. This decoration finds a bigger canvas on the overlapping plates atop the ratchet and barrel wheels. They create a shimmering effect that is quite something. Atop this are the two cartouches bearing the makers mark and the serial number. However, in this example, instead of the serial number are the initials of the original owner. The three-quarter bridge is also home to the shield bearing the triskelion motif of the Isle of Man, home to Roger W. Smith. Another cartouche on the baseplate bears the year the watch was created in Roman numerals.

The Quadrajust free sprung balance beats at 18,000 vibrations per hour. It interacts with Smiths third iteration of the Co-axial escapement which replaces sliding friction with a more tangential interaction. It constructed as a monobloc, with benefits including weight savings and a reliably repeatable assembly. Just like the simplified dial, the movement side has hidden depth. Not only does it include the latest iteration of Dr George Daniels signature innovation, it also features hacking seconds for precise time setting.

The watch comes with its full set of boxes and paperwork. The Series 4 is a considered re-imaging of the triple calendar complication done in a way that is entirely native to Roger W. Smiths philosophy. As the very first example of the Series 4 to come on the market, and one in this unique configuration, this watch is particularly important.

If sold within the United Kingdom, this Roger W. Smith Series 4 will be subject to 20% VAT

Closer look

Condition

This Roger W. Smith Series 4 is virtually unworn, and thus remains preserved in excellent condition.

Warranty

The watch comes with a two-year warranty from A Collected Man, alongside a lifetime guarantee of authenticity.