Watches

The Unique Watch George Daniels Wore Daily Goes Up for Sale

WatchesAug 23, 2022

The Unique Watch George Daniels Wore Daily Goes Up for Sale

It's one of only two unique wristwatches Daniels made by hand in his lifetime.

Phillips in association with Bacs & Russo will offer three rare timepieces by George Daniels at its November Geneva watch auction, including one he hand-crafted and wore personally.
Geneva—Three important wristwatches from one of the greatest watchmakers of the 20th century are set to go up for sale this November. 
 
Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo will offer three rare watches by George Daniels, considered the founding father of independent watchmaking, at The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI.
 
First up is the Spring Case Tourbillon, one of two unique wristwatches Daniels hand-crafted for his own personal wear, filled with the maker’s inventions. 
 
Completed in 1992, the double-dialed spring case watch has a one-minute tourbillon and calendar. The case pops open to reveal a back dial. 
 
SEE: The Spring Case Tourbillon in Action 

The dials are hand guilloche silver with gold chapters showing the hours, minutes, and interlaced seconds. The reverse dial showcases the calendar and the visible tourbillon escapement.
 
The tourbillion, a Daniels signature, features his co-axial escapement, which he invented in 1975. It’s featured in all his watches after that. Omega, and Daniels’ protégé Roger Smith, also later adopted the element.
 
A friend convinced Daniels to sell the Spring Case Tourbillon in 2005, a wristwatch he loved so much that he wore daily.

Here, Daniels is pictured wearing the Spring Case Tourbillon, which he completed in 1992.
Here, Daniels is pictured wearing the Spring Case Tourbillon, which he completed in 1992.
 
Appearing at auction for the first time, it is expected to fetch over $1 million, Phillips said. 
 
Daniels made 23 pocket watches and two unique wristwatches by his own hand over his lifetime, the Spring Case Tourbillon being one.
 
In collaboration with Roger Smith, he crafted two additional tourbillion watches and two production series of wristwatches called the Millennium and Anniversary watches.

The George Daniels Anniversary timepiece
The George Daniels Anniversary timepiece
 
The Phillips sale will offer a George Daniels Anniversary watch in yellow gold, one of only 35 made in the metal in honor of the 35th anniversary of the co-axial escapement. 
 
Phillips estimates it will sell for $300,000 to $600,000.

The George Daniels Millennium timepiece
The George Daniels Millennium timepiece
 
It will also offer a George Daniels Millennium ($250,000 to $500,000) crafted in 1999 on occasion of a new co-axial escapement arriving at market. 
 
It houses a heavily modified Omega caliber with the escapement. It also features Daniels’ classic guilloche dial. 
 
“George Daniels was one of the greatest watchmakers in history, and it is an honor to present not only a unique tourbillon wristwatch with spring case, made fully by hand by Daniels himself and appearing on the auction market for the very first time, but also two of the most sought-after wristwatches by an independent watchmaker ahead of The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI in November,” said Alexandre Ghotbi, Phillips Head of Watches, Continental Europe and Middle East. 
 
“For Daniels, a watch had to have historic, intellectual, technical, aesthetic, amusing, and useful qualities, a mantra that he applied to all his creations, with these three examples being no exception. Daniels’ legacy continues to influence the generations of watchmakers that follow him.”
 
The timepieces will be on view during Geneva Watch Days from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1, alongside other sale highlights.
 
The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI is slated for Nov. 5-6.
 
So far this year, 100 percent of the watch lots Phillips has offered at auction have sold. 
 
 Related stories will be right here … 

The Latest

AuctionsMar 21, 2023
Marlene Dietrich’s Van Cleef & Arpels Bracelet Going Up for Auction

Expected to earn up to $4.5 million, the “Jarretière” bracelet is the star of Christie’s “The Magnificent Jewels of Anne Eisenhower” sale.

ColumnistsMar 21, 2023
Squirrel Spotting: Customer Retention Mindset—The New CRM

With jewelry sales coming down from their pandemic highs, retailers need to do all they can to retain existing customers, Peter Smith says.

Events & AwardsMar 21, 2023
ASJRA’s May Conference Examines ‘Iconic’ Jewelry Companies

Jewelry historians, authors, and experts will explore the works of Tiffany & Co., Oscar Heyman, Verdura, and more.

Brought to you by
Full Disclosure at Your Fingertips

Distinguishing natural diamonds from laboratory-grown stones – now more available than ever – has been difficult for jewelers. Until now.

IndependentsMar 21, 2023
Borsheims Executive Jennifer Johnson Retires

Johnson joined the retailer in 1987, establishing its first human resources department.

Weekly QuizMar 17, 2023
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge with this short test.
Take the Quiz
Recorded WebinarsMar 20, 2023
Watch: Lab Grown Diamonds: What's Now? What's New? What's Next?

Supplier Spotlight Presented by IGI

Events & AwardsMar 20, 2023
Gem Awards Shine Spotlight on Design, Dedication, and Family

The industry gathered to celebrate those who elevate the jewelry and watch industries.

Brought to you by
Bringing Over 130 Years of Diamond Expertise to Modern Grading

De Beers Institute of Diamonds provides the very best in diamond verification, education and diamond services.

CrimeMar 20, 2023
Jewelry Crime Reached Record Level in 2022, JSA Says

At JSA’s annual luncheon, President John J. Kennedy said the organization recorded more than 2,000 cases last year.

CollectionsMar 20, 2023
A New Book on Chanel Is a High Jewelry Lover’s Dream

It highlights Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel’s lasting influence on modern design.

Recorded WebinarsMar 17, 2023
Watch: Lessons From Gems

Jewelers of America’s Amanda Gizzi explores the qualities and accomplishments that make this year’s Gem Award nominees shine.

Events & AwardsMar 17, 2023
JCK Industry Fund Announces Grant Recipients

Here’s what the nine chosen organizations plan to do with the funds.

TrendsMar 17, 2023
Piece of the Week: Anita Ko’s Award-Ready Earrings

The designer is nominated for a Gem Award for Jewelry Design.

FinancialsMar 16, 2023
Winter Weather, Declining Engagements Weigh on Signet’s Results

The jewelry giant’s full-year sales were essentially flat, brought down by fourth-quarter declines.

FinancialsMar 16, 2023
Brilliant Earth Took a Record Number of Orders in 2022

In its recent results, the company highlighted non-bridal jewelry sales and said its “inventory-light” showroom model may change.

Events & AwardsMar 16, 2023
Amanda’s Style File: Sparkling Gems

See 15 fabulous pieces from the 2023 Gem Award for Jewelry Design nominees: Anita Ko, Kirsty Stone, and Ron Anderson and David Rees.

SourcingMar 15, 2023
Amid Uncertainties, India’s Diamond Industry Continues to Adjust

The mood among diamantaires is fairly optimistic despite the challenges brought about by sanctions and a cloudy economic outlook.

Lab-GrownMar 15, 2023
India’s Lab-Grown Diamond Industry Is Growing Up

The mood is bullish as more companies get into the business despite the dramatic drop in lab-grown diamond prices.

SourcingMar 15, 2023
Q&A: GJEPC Chairman Vipul Shah

Shah talks with National Jeweler about diamond demand, lab-grown, and why it’s difficult to make predictions about the U.S. market.

Policies & IssuesMar 15, 2023
When Diamonds Replenish the Earth

Hari Krishna Exports and the Dholakia Foundation’s “Mission 100 Sarovar” aims to create 100 lakes to help revive an area of Gujarat.

TechnologyMar 15, 2023
Sarine’s New Website Schools Consumers on Traceability

The educational resource will highlight the positive impact diamonds can make on their journey from mine to market.

SourcingMar 15, 2023
Canada’s Ekati Diamond Mine to Get a New Owner

Australian mining company Burgundy Diamond Mines announced plans to buy the mine in a deal valued at $136 million.

AuctionsMar 15, 2023
Antique Rings Discovered by Retirees Perform Well at Auction

A 17th-century gold seal ring and an 18th-century memento mori ring met or exceeded estimates at a recent Noonans auction.

Events & AwardsMar 15, 2023
JSA Announces Award Recipients

They will be recognized at the organization’s annual luncheon this weekend in New York City.

ColumnistsMar 14, 2023
On Data: How Did Independent Jewelers Do in January and February?

Sherry Smith breaks down the results so far this year, including which categories are the sales standouts and which are struggling.

MajorsMar 14, 2023
Dutch Historian Discovers Medieval Jewels

The 1,000-year-old find is now on display in the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities.

Events & AwardsMar 14, 2023
GemGenève Is Gearing Up for Its Biggest Show Yet

More than 200 exhibitors are scheduled for the May 11-14 event.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy