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Louis Erard Unveils the Limited-Edition Gravée Main

Since 2021, Louis Erard has been redefining the boundaries of Métiers d’Art, from Grand Feu enamel and guilloché to wood marquetry, and soon, gold wire inlay. Now, Gravée Main opens a new chapter, paying tribute to one of the oldest crafts in watchmaking hand engraving.
Gravée Main represents a new milestone in Louis Erard’s Métiers d’Art series. This limited edition of 99 unique timepieces places hand engraving at center stage, with every metal element entirely engraved and finished by hand, a meticulous process that requires more than 50 hours of work. 

Introducing Roger W. Smith Unveils His Latest Masterpiece, Series 6

Innovative Date Function Design and the Latest Co-Axial Escapement

Roger W. Smith has announced its newest masterpiece, featuring a brand-new calibre, marking the first watch from the independent British watchmaker since 2019, and the second since he redesigned his entire collection in 2015. 

Like many of his timepieces, the new Series 6 offers a wide range of customization options in terms of materials and finishes. The watch also introduces an innovative date mechanism. Following the development of the travelling date aperture in 2014, it has now been fully revolutionized for the Series 6. Additionally, the watch incorporates the latest evolution of Smith’s single-wheel co-axial escapement.

“It brings together 36 years of continual innovation in movement design and over 20 years of development of the co-axial escapement,” says Roger Smith.

The 40mm case measures approximately 13mm thick—identical to the Series 1 and Series 2—and can be crafted in gold or platinum with a matching buckle. Both sides are protected with sapphire crystal, and the case includes a date corrector at 11 o’clock.

The Series 6 displays hours, minutes, and seconds on a floating central dial, with the date indicated on a lower level via a travelling aperture. This design gives the dial the same three-dimensional appeal as the movement itself, reflecting Roger’s signature architectural style. 

The floating dial is available in bleached silver or gold, with the option of hand engine-turning or hand engraving. Expressively shaped spade hands and the travelling date aperture can be crafted in either gold or flame-blued steel. The engraved and lacquer-filled hour/minute ring and the R.W. Smith nameplate are rendered in a color matching the case material.

A completely new calibre has been developed, combining the travelling date complication with Roger Smith’s latest iteration of the single-wheel co-axial escapement. The finishing is exemplary, showcasing the meticulous graining and intricate hand engraving for which the British watchmaker is renowned.

Barrel covers and the balance cock are hand-engraved, while large, flat, black-polished mirror-like surfaces appear on the under-dial side of the movement. Circular-grained wheels and gears, flame-blued screws, and other refined details complete the movement, which is signed “R.W. Smith” and bears the Isle of Man’s Triskelion.

The instantaneous date mechanism relies on a cam system that gradually harnesses power over 24 hours before releasing it to advance the date at midnight. Unlike a traditional pointer-date movement, where the date hand is centrally driven, the Series 6 uses a peripheral gear with inward-facing teeth and flat segments in the valleys between them. A beak attached to a lever system interfaces with this gear, while the date ring sits above it, floating smoothly above the moving gear.

The hand-wound movement, based on the same general base architecture as all other Series watches, offers a 48-hour power reserve and operates at 18,000 vph.

As with all Roger W. Smith watches, the Series 6 will be produced in limited numbers. It is priced at £320,000, approximately AED 1,576,300.

 

 

For more information please visit  Roger W. Smith official website

Technical specifications: Roger W. Smith Series Six
  1. Case: gold or platinum, polished, sapphire crystal from both side, date corrector at 11 o’clock
  2. Diameter:  40 mm
  3. Water resistance: 20 m
  4. Dial: dial is made in bleached silver or gold, ith a choice of hand-engine-turned or hand-engraved design
  5. Movement:  manual-winding, in house, hand-engraved
  6. Power reserve: 48 hours
  7. Frequency: 18,000 VPH  (2.5 Hz)
  8. Functions: hours and minutes, small seconds, date
  9. Bracelet / Strap: leather strap with gold or platinum pin buckle 
  10. Availability:  Limited Production
  11. Price: 320,000 GBP which is equivalent to 1,576,300 AED

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