Dr. Roger W. Smith OBE is a British watchmaker who was trained by George Daniels. He is known for his high-quality handcrafted watches and is the Chairman of the Alliance of British Watch and Clock Makers.
Smith enrolled in a course at the Manchester School of Horology when he turned 16. It was there that he discovered his passion for crafting watches by hand, thanks in part to a visit from the renowned George Daniels, who left a lasting impression on the young Smith.
Smith spent the next five years perfecting his craft, drawing on Daniels’ book Watchmaking for guidance. Eventually, he created a watch that met Daniels’ exacting standards, earning his approval and an invitation to work on the ‘Daniels Millennium’ series.
After completing the series, Smith established his own studio on the Isle of Man, where he crafted his iconic ‘Series 1’ watches and subsequent ‘Series 2’. His skill and dedication to the craft were recognized with numerous accolades, including the prestigious Barrett Silver Medal of the British Horological Institute and an OBE.
But perhaps the greatest honor bestowed upon Smith was when George Daniels bequeathed his entire workshop to him upon his death. It was a fitting testament to Smith’s unwavering commitment to the traditions of English and British watchmaking, which he continues to carry on to this day from his studio on the Isle of Man, where he lives with his family.
