Designing the RGM Skeleton

[mlcor]

I've been meaning to make a complete post about how this watch came to be (especially since Roland hasn't acknowledged the history anywhere). It all started back in March of 2017, when I sent this email to Roland:

"I have been a serious watch collector for a number of years, and have often browsed your website.

For some time now, I have been looking for a skeleton watch for my collection, but haven’t been able to find one that suited both my desires and my budget. I know that you do custom watches, and I see that you have done at least one skeleton in the past; however, that was a traditional version, different than what I would be interested in. I thought I would run my ideas by you, and see if it’s something you would be able to do, and if so, then we could talk about pricing/schedule etc., and I could decide whether it would be feasible for me.
I’ve attached some photos to give you examples of what I’m trying to accomplish, as described below.


Ideally, I would like:

• Industrial rather than ornate finishing--the one skeleton pictured on your site looks like Mr. Benzinger's work, which is spectacular but not what I'm looking for here

• Matte/black/gray/pebble finishing as in the Breguet and Dubuis examples, as opposed to something shiny as in the Tissot

• As much open space/minimalism in the design as possible—something as open as the Dubuis may not be practical, but that is the sort of feel I’m after

• Case size—your 42mm x 10.5mm would be fine, as well as your RGM 801 movement--a slightly smaller case would be good, but I assume 42mm is the smallest that the movement will fit

• Indices in a small ring, as in the Tissot and Dubuis examples, as opposed to a "pure" skeleton with no indices at all

• Hands with a size and shape that enable them to be easily read, as in the Tissot (not necessarily that shape, just the concept of visibility)

Other details could be worked out later, but the main questions are whether you could do something like this, and if so, a rough idea of the cost.


Thanks in advance."

Over the next few days we exchanged emails about design, and Roland sent me these pictures of an old Hamilton pocket watch movement, which I said was definitely heading in the right direction:



We talked about rhodium or gold plating, and I said definitely rhodium, in keeping with the industrial design I had in mind. Roland quoted 10-12 months for delivery (he he--that was off by a bit). We then started talking about finishing, specifically, either brushed or more frosted, like the Breguet tradition line. Roland said the plan would be to work on drawings, and eventually sample bridges for approval.

In August of 2017, Roland sent the first set of drawings:



I replied to Roland:

"Thanks for the initial drawings, this is a great start. My only question would be whether it's possible to remove more from the front plate to create more open space--I've attached a markup highlighting potential areas that perhaps could have more removed. I recognize that structural integrity needs to be preserved, so I don't know how practical what I'm suggesting would be. I've also re-attached the picture you had sent me originally of the Hamilton movement that has more open area along the lines of what I had hoped could be achieved. I understand your movement is different, and I of course will rely on your expertise as to how much can actually be done.


I agree that engraving just on the balance bridge makes sense. We can have more discussions about finishing for both front and back down the road."


Here's my crude marked up drawing:



Soon after that, Roland sent along some new drawings with some additional material removed. They show before and after (the left sides are after more has been removed):





Everything then sort of went dark until April of 2018, when I sent Roland an email asking for an update. He replied that they were starting to prototype pieces of the movement, and sent this shot of the first prototype bridge:



Shortly after that, Roland sent this drawing showing his (awesome) idea for the seconds hands, as well as his proposal for the dial ring:



I replied with enthusiasm , and also requested that the gold plates at 12 and 6 should also have a brushed finish to avoid being too shiny. This was also the time when he said he wanted to add the skeleton to his lineup.

To be continued in the next post, with more prototype pictures...