In 1910, Robert Falcon Scott embarked on an ambitious expedition to Antarctica aboard the Terra Nova.

An intriguing story, beautiful images, things that I like…. Throughout my career that’s what inspired me to create many RGM models. The Terra Nova is a perfect example.

I came up an idea to make a multiple-piece dial that featured very classic elements, like a chapter ring with an engine-turned Breguet line, but with the center of the dial being fashioned from different materials, depending on the watch I wanted to make. But I needed a focal point for my idea.

Like most people, I searched the Internet and stumbled upon one of the most majestic maritime scenes I’d ever seen—a painting of the Terra Nova. When I dug into the ship’s background and mythology, I became even more fascinated. And the name was perfect, too.

I’ve made several nautical-themed watches over the years. Sailing ships are strong, graceful, imbued with the mysteries of the deep. The Terra Nova painting evoked movement, and I wanted the dial miniature to do the exact same. I decided to use Mother of Pearl. Its multifaceted luster is a great canvas for this style of painting because, when you turn the watch, the background refracts light in various directions, reflecting the illusion of depth and motion.

I visualized the finished piece over and over in my head as we set to work on creating our take on the Terra Nova. Once the in-house design was complete, we sent the art off with the Mother of Pearl for the miniature hand-paining work to be completed by a master artist. When the dial came back to us it was more beautiful than I’d imagined! I knew it was going to be one of the most captivating watches we’ve ever made. “It’s one of those watches you just keep looking at; I can’t take my eyes off it.”

I didn’t just want to make a watch, though. I wanted to tell the story of Terra Nova’s expedition through seldom-charted territory. The case-back gave me a place to do just that. During my research I found a 20th century map of Scott’s trek to the South Pole. The map had a lot of detail, which was great, but we had to draw it to scale, taking care to keep the integrity of the map intact while fitting it into onto a round case-back. Recreating the map proved just as technical as making the art. After 3 weeks of redrafts and edits we had a rendering of the map that was to be engraved onto the case-back.

I must say—it is very satisfying to watch a project like this take shape, to see the finished watch in your hand looking better than envisioned. Currently, there is only one Terra Nova watch, but we may make a few more pieces. I miss this watch already, but I know it’s in good hands.

If you have an idea, let RGM help you make it a reality that will last for generations.

Roland Murphy and the RGM Team

Click here to read more about Robert Falcon Scott’s Terra Nova Expedition