Custom RGM With White Enamel Dial and Red Numerals

This is the first enamel dial we have done with red on white. This watch was made for one of our customers who wanted a watch to go with his new Corvette.  It should go nicely since his new Vette is white with red interior.

Since I new the objective of the watch I wanted very sporty numerals on the enamel dial, and the customer wanted a mix of sporty and classic styling, I think this captures the feel very well.

Another visual element is the large sub-second and real blued steel hands with Superlumanova for low light visibility.

Custom projects are always very enjoyable, it is very satisfying to work with someone to build a watch just for them, and of course its an opportunity to be creative which is what I love.

Roland

A Look Back At The First RGM Watch, the Watch That Started It All!

It was over 20 years ago when I first started RGM, the idea at the beginning was to make a very nice watch, I was not thinking I would make a watch company. But that's what happen as you know if your reading this.   I had been helping to design watches for Hamilton back in the 1980's, but this was going to be my watch, made the way I wanted to make it.  I was much younger and very excited about the job in front of me.  

I knew I wanted to start with a gold watch, a chronograph, and it had to have an Engine-Turned dial and real blued steel hands.  It would turn out that I would make many watches over the years with some of these traits.   I have always loved classic design, quality, and functions when it comes to watches, so it only made sense to do what I know.

I started to design two watches a Chronograph and a Chronograph with full calendar and moon-phase.  Basically the same watch, one had a 7750 and the other had a 7751 Valjoux movement.  I used some of my old contacts and a few new ones to get parts made to my design, the hands, dial, and cases.  After many months the parts arrived and the excitement of putting together the first RGM watch was almost to much.  I remember after building the first RGM I wore it to dinner that night to celebrate with my wife, we went to a very nice restaurant in the Lancaster area the Log Cabin.

The watch was model 101 and the full calendar version was 101-M, I used 101 because I remembered reading about the first Porsche 911 was originally the 901.  So 101 sounded like a good starting point.

The watch pictured is a model 101-M, watch number 001 is on display at the NAWCC watch and clock museum in Columbia, PA not far from RGM in Mount Joy.

I hope you enjoyed this little walk down memory lane with me!

All the best

Roland Murphy

Anthony Bourdain Talks About RGM Watch and Watchmaking

RGM's Roland G Murphy was one of the 5 craft people featured during the 2015 Balvenie Rare Craft Collection Tour, he was picked by Mr. Bourdain from hundreds of possibly crafts people.   The cities visited were New York, Houston, and Chicago.


End Of Year Opportunity On The RGM Model 455 Chronographs!

Here at RGM we price our watches at the price they sell for, we have the best quality at every price point so it makes sense.   With that said we have decided to have a special on the model 455 chronographs from now until the end of the year.   So its a rare opportunity that will only be offered on our blog and social media.  That way this special is for those who follow RGM only.

Today through December 31 anyone mentioning the special will get 25% off any model 455 Chronograph. You will also get an extra RGM model 455 replacement strap at the same time!

Link to all RGM 455 Chronographs 

Enjoy!

RGM

Making Solid Gold Rotors at RGM

We are making solid gold rotors here in our shop in Mount Joy, these first gold rotors will be for a new model that will be introduced next year.   The picture shows them in the CNC mill before the finishing, engraving, and final decoration.

Here are a few clues about the new watch, the case is made here in USA in Pennsylvania of course, the movement will be Swiss but the gold rotor as we said and you can see are made here at RGM.  The rest you will have to wait to see. :-)

We can also make solid gold rotors for custom orders in 14K, or 18K solid gold.

All the Best,  Roland

HODINKEE VISITS RGM IN NEW YORK AT BALVENIE RARE CRAFT COLLECTION

In October we had a nice visit from the guys at Hodinkee when we were visiting New York city with the Balvenie Rare Craft Collection event.   They just released this article about their visit with us.  We wanted to make sure our RGM followers had a chance to read it.

Enjoy! Roland 

Link here....

Two Matching Custom RGM Watches

You might ask why would there be two of the same custom watch?  The answer is simple, the owners of these beautiful timepieces are brothers.  Every three years they buy matching watches, this time around they chose RGM to make them something very special and unique.

The watches are modified RGM Model 222's with custom glass enamel dials.  They also requested we incorporate a secret signature of two small seagulls which can just be seen in the large photograph.  The hands are blued steel Breguet style.  The Model 222 case is 316L stainless steel and has a diameter of 41mm.

 

They chose the Hamilton 921 movement which we restore; hand polish the steel screws, regulator parts, and the solid gold cap jewel setting for the escape wheel.  Then as a option we hand blued the screws using heat.

The enamel dials are made just like enamel dials were made over a 100 years ago.  This time we used a blue glass for the numbers and track which is fired into the white surface.  The soft look of the blue is very nice on these watches, they are the first we have done with blue. You can read more about how enamel dials are made under the 801-COE or PS-801-BB here on our website under those models. 

RGM at Balvenie 2015 Rare Craft Tour in Chicago, Final Event!

We had a very good week at the Balvenie 2015 Rare Craft Tour in Houston at the beginning of November.  I had the best Mexican food I have ever had in Houston! 

Next week in Chicago is the last event, I am sure we will have a good finale. If your in the area sign up and come over and see us.  We will have an Engine-Turning machine with us and several watches.  We will also be answering questions about what we do and showing the 801 movement.

Here is a link for the Chicago event next week.

Last chance to try our Engine-Turning machine on the road in Chicago!   RGM

Disney Short Brings Back Memories Of My Career As A Watchmaker!

I worked at a clock shop in the early 1980's, this fun little Disney video brings back memories of all the clocks and watches that surrounded me. Sometimes I felt like they were alive, I would think about where they might have been and what they might have seen, especially the really old ones. Thirty some years later and my life is still surrounded by timepieces. I have to say it's been a wonderful ride full of passion for Timepieces and Watchmaking, a true Horological Adventure!      Roland G Murphy

Watch Spotlight RGM Model 455 Classic Chronograph

The 455 models are inspired by the great classic chronographs from the 1940's with their technical and functional dials. The hand styles are also matched to the dials and made from vintage tooling from the period.

The use of the Tachymeter and Telemeter scales are hallmarks of the 1940's chronographs, beautiful yet functional.  I have always loved restoring old chronographs from this period, the variations were very plentiful back then.

Another thing is the cross over of scales and numbers into different zones, some do not like this but I always did.  It is where function is put before the look, or aesthetic of the dial.

We have designed two different layouts with a few different color combinations including one black dial making 5 different choices all together. 

We have parts to make 100 watches and then that will be it, no more will be made.

 

For a limited time you can get a deployant clasp at no extra charge.  Just mention you read the offer on Facebook, or the RGM Blog.

Roland

RGM

RGM Motor-Barrel Now Available On Caliber 801

We have added the Caliber 20's Motor-Barrel as an option for the Caliber 801 movement.  Now you have another option when designing your 801. Another choice in making your watch the way you want it.

The Motor Barrel is an old American system that was used in the highest grade Railroad watches, like the Illinois Bunn Special and the Hamilton 950. The Motor Barrel allows the mainspring barrel to ride between jewels when the watch is running.  In America's great watchmaking past, there were two Motor Barrel types:  one protected the movement if the mainspring broke; a later system reduced wear and friction, and made a more stable barrel in the movement. We use the later system.  Prior to the Caliber 20, the last watch with a Motor Barrel was made more than 50 years ago. 

The system is comprised of many parts compared to a traditional barrel as you can see in our exploded view drawing.   

RGM Will Be In Houston For Round Two of The Belvenie Rare Craft Tour

We had a very good week at the Balvenie 2015 Rare Craft Tour in New York at the beginning of October, we are looking forward to having the same in Houston next week.   You can read more about the New York trip down in the RGM blog.

Here are a few links for the Houston event next week.

Come and give our Engine-Turning machine a try!

Article from Houston Press click here

 

Event information click here

 

Pictures From WatchTime New York Event

The WatchTime event this past weekend in New York was very busy. We talked to so many people that the time flew by!   We were very pleased to see so many wearing their RGM watches.  I want to thank them for coming by and showing them to us.  I am always happy to see them on the arms of their happy owners! Several had 801 models and a few were custom versions - I took a few quick phone pictures on their arms.

We had several others come by before I thought about taking pictures of them wearing their watches - sorry about that.

WatchTime did a very nice job with the event and all seemed to have a great time.  If you have never been to one of their events, I encourage you to make plans for next year.

The Gotham Hall building was amazing. It was an old bank building and very beautiful.  I hope they have it there next year.  Below are a few pictures of the event space, building and our RGM stand.   Roland

 

RGM AT WatchTime New York Event This Week

We will have a stand at this new event starting Friday night and during the day Saturday.  Friday night is sold out but Saturday is still open if you want to reserve a spot to see us and several other brands.

We will have several RGM watches with us that you can see and try on like the 801-COE, the New PS-801-EE, and many other RGM models. Of course its also an opportunity to speak to us first hand and ask questions and enjoy looking at our special timepieces.   Hope to see you there!     

WatchTime Link

GOTHAM HALL

1356 Broadway New York, NY(between 36th and 37th Street)

212-582-7940

 

October 24, 2015 Full-Day Event

Come and stay all day! Browse, mingle, shop. Brand and VIP presentations will be scheduled throughout the day!

 

  • 11:30am - 12:15pm - Joe Thompson's presentation

  • 4pm: Watches & Whiskey with Watch Anish

  • 5pm - 6:30pm - Jeff Kingston's presentation

SPACE IS LIMITED. Email us to reserve your place. No dinner served. Valid with purchase of Friday or Saturday ticket

1986 in Switzerland I Read An Article About JEAN-CLAUDE BIVER

When I first went to W.O.S.T.E.P. in 1986 to further my watchmaking training I received a watch magazine that had an article about Jean-Claude Biver and how he resurrected Blancpain.  I liked those 1980's Blancpain watches, they were very classic and I would stop in look at them in the store windows in Switzerland as I walked around Neuchatel. 

The article talked about his passion and how he was hands on creating the designs and even picking the leathers for the straps.  He was doing what I wanted to do and I admired his desire to be involved at every level of the creation of the watches.  I have the privilege to do the same with RGM be it on a smaller scale.

Blancpain was his Brand, it was his baby!  I always wondered how he could sell it and move on as a watch executive.  I had a chance to ask him online as I received an email from Watchoogle that they had setup an online Q&A and anyone could ask him a question.   So I sent off my question.

QUESTION BY: R. MURPHY / U.S.A.

Was it hard to leave Blancpain when you were the man who brought it back from the dead and made it a viable top brand?

Jean-Claude Biver:

Yes, it was probably my most difficult moment in my 40 years of career. The reason being that I sold Blancpain for the wrong reasons….

------------------

It seems there is some regret in his answer, I am sure he looks back at that time as one of his best in the world of watches.  

Roland

You can see more questions and answers from his Q&A here.  Link

Picture from Watchoogle.

A Few Pictures From New York Last Week

We were in New York last week for the Balvenie 2015 Rare Craft Collection Tour. Here are a few photos we took during our week, I hope you enjoy a little look at a few of the sights we captured.

View from the Empire State Building

Our Stand at the Balvenie Rare Craft Collection 

New York City Public Library 

Time Square

Grand Central Station

Two New 801 Models Introduced

We are very happy to introduce two new 801 models, the PS-801-EE, and the 801-EE.  The EE stands for Engine-Turning and Enamel. These new models have a real glass enamel skeleton dial, and hand cut Engine-Turning on the main-plate.  Two old world arts in the same watch.

 

Below is some details from the press release and newsletter.  I hope you like them,  Roland

We are pleased to announce two new additions to our in-house 801 collection: 801-EE and PS-801-EE. These latest models combine two time-honored crafts: Grand Feu Enamel and Guilloché, or Engine-Turning.

Following on the heels of our first two enamel-dial models, we have created an enamel skeleton dial version. Grand Feu enamel requires the repeated baking of each layer of powdered glass at extremely high temperatures to ensure a uniquely crisp aesthetic while permanently setting the enamel. The Roman or Arabic numerals are baked into the surface, creating the vivid, unmistakable appearance distinctive of a real glass enamel dial. 

The enamel skeleton dial reveals the hand cut Guilloché mainplate. Guilloché, or Engine-Turning, is a centuries-old craft that today involves the use of antique hand-cranked machines to cut or engrave delicate geometric patterns. At RGM, we have 6 vintage and antique machines that are used to decorate dials, or in this case, the movement mainplate.

The pattern seen on the mainplate of these models is called Moiré. This complex geometric pattern is achieved when each line is slightly offset from the previous cutting line, thus creating a classically pleasing effect that can captivate the wearer of the timepiece.

Exposed under this unique skeleton dial and hand cut Guilloché mainplate is our original in-house American movement: Caliber 801. Inspired by America's great watchmaking history, the 801 has classically shaped bridges, hand polished or blued steel components, and is entirely hand-finished and decorated. The movement can also be customized at your request. The watch is housed in a polished 316L stainless steel or 18 karat solid gold case. 

RGM Selected For Balvenie 2015 Rare Craft Collection

Hand-selected by Anthony Bourdain, The Balvenie 2015 Rare Craft Collection brings five remarkable craftspeople together to showcase their creative process, personal stories and finished crafts like never before.

We are proud to have been selected from hundreds of potential craftsmen here in the USA.  We will be touring with the collection starting next week in New York city from October 5-8.

We will have an antique Rose Engine at the event and I will be demonstrating how we hand turn the Guilloché (Engine-Turn) patterns for dials and movements.  We will also have one of the RGM watchmakers assembling a Caliber 801 watch movement.  We will have a number of RGM watches on display, including a brand new 801 model.

Link to Balvenie webpage here.

Progress on Rebuilding Playground

The work has started on rebuilding the playground "Joyland" here in Mount Joy.   The watch we donated is doing very well in the ebay auction.    EBAY Auction Click Here

Here is a little video to show you some of the progress.  Regards, Roland