Insider asked us to make a repair and & restoration video with them. We proposed a few watches and they picked a WWII-era Rolex military pocket watch.
The video is intended for a broad audience so it only touches on some of the highlights of a restoration. It’s not a step-by-step documentation of all the needed work, but it does show many of the specialized skills required to do this type of work.
RGM’s Roland Murphy will be hosting a free tour of the NAWCC Museum on Saturday, February 11, 2023, at 9:30 am. The NAWCC is the “National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors”. The address is 514 Poplar St. Columbia, PA 17512. No reservation is needed, just show up and mention you are there for Mr. Murphy’s tour.
The last tour Mr. Murphy gave was 4 years ago in 2019.
Mr. Murphy has arranged for the regular museum fee to be waived so this is a totally free event. Of course, we always encourage donations to the museum, which you can do in person if you desire. You might also want to consider becoming a member.
The tour will take about 2 hours or so, and Mr. Murphy will feature items in the museum that he personally likes and feels are significant. There are many items of interest in the museum including clocks, watches, complicated watches, watchmaking tools, machinery, and much more.
Also, after the tour if you have an old watch you would like to show Mr. Murphy he will be glad to look at it and give you his comments about it. Mr. Murphy has many years of experience restoring and collecting vintage and antique watches.
Video tour we made in 2011
We celebrated our 30th anniversary in 2022, it’s hard to believe it has been that long since the beginning of RGM. It has been an incredible journey creating watches of all kinds over the decades, expanding our capabilities, making custom watches, and always looking to the future. We want to thank our clients and followers for supporting the special work we do.
The first new watch we introduced in February of 2022 was the Model 600-B with its beautiful blue dial and raised box-style sapphire crystal.
In April we added to our Model 222-RR (Railroad) collection by introducing the Type 1 Montgomery Classic Marginal Minute Dial. With this new addition, we now have 3 different classic railroad dials available. We are sure this collection will grow even more over the next several years.
Next, we introduced our second Wood Marquetry dialed watch in July, a Model 25 depicting the USS Constitution leaving the British Navy Shipyard at Malta, on November 1, 1804. Nothing like a little history on your wrist.
The fourth and last watch release for RGM’s 30th anniversary year, the Model 25 Yellowstone. 2022 was also the 150th anniversary of Yellowstone National Park and the National Park system. What better way to celebrate both anniversaries than with a beautiful hand-made Cloisonné art dial depicting the wonderful natural American scene?
In February we offered our new RGM Keystone Deployant Clasp, available in 18mm and 20mm buckle sizes, this has been a very popular item.
RGM Model 25 Depicting Yellowstone National Park in Cloisonné Enamel
The fourth watch release for RGM’s 30th anniversary,
Limited to a maximum of 3 pieces
The Model 25 watches have an American-made case inspired by our larger Pennsylvania series watches. The case has ribbed sides, a beautifully contoured bezel, and is 40mm in diameter, with curved down lugs. The Model 25 fits most wrists very comfortably. The case was designed to highlight the dial with its large dial opening.
The art on the dial is inspired by WPA Poster Art of Yellowstone National Park. This year (2022) is the 150th Anniversary of America’s first National Park - Yellowstone.
The Work Projects Administration (WPA) Poster Collection consists of 907 posters produced from 1936 to 1943 by various branches of the WPA. Of the 2,000 WPA posters known to exist, the Library of Congress's collection of more than 900 is the largest. The posters were designed to publicize exhibits, community activities, theatrical productions, and health and educational programs in seventeen states and the District of Columbia, with the strongest representation from California, Illinois, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The results of one of the first U.S. Government programs to support the arts, the posters were added to the Library's holdings in the 1940s.
CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL
The hand-made cloisonné dial with its dark brown chapter ring brings out beautiful warm earth tones in this unique rare craft watch.
Cloisonné (‘to partition’) is an enameling technique in which the outline of the design is formed by first adding compartments (“cloisons” in French) to the metal object by applying silver or gold flat wires placed on their edges. These remain visible in the finished piece, separating the different compartments of the enamel or inlays. Cloisonné is made with enamel powder made into a paste, which then needs to be fired in a kiln.
The flat gold or silver wire is often no thicker than a human hair, and is hand-bent, and shaped to the design required. The cloisons give the image an appreciable level of detail, dimension, and beauty. The dial is created through a series of layering and firing. With a Cloisonné dial, the colored cells might be filled in and fired in the kiln five or more times before final finishing and polishing.
Very few watchmakers offer this rare craft to their clients.
More about Yellowstone
Signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant, America's first national park was set aside to preserve and protect the scenery, cultural heritage, wildlife, geologic and ecological systems, and processes in their natural condition for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.
LINK ————— National Park Website
LINK ————— For information about WPA Poster Art
LINK ————— Ranger Doug WPA Poster Art
Here at RGM, we appreciate the support we get from everyone who buys a watch from us, it’s the only way we can continue to make watches here in Pennsylvania. When I started RGM 30 years ago it was my goal to continue to make more and more here in the US, we have continued to do that, expanding our capabilities each year. We also feel it’s important to support other businesses here, we have suppliers in Europe, but we also have several US suppliers and some local to us here in Pennsylvania.
I have always had an interest in bicycles as a hobby, so a few years ago I wanted to build a bicycle using as many US-made components as possible, I wanted to help support those companies making wonderful bike parts here in the states. The pictures show the fruit of that labor of love.
If you ever visit RGM you can see this work of art hanging on the wall in our workshop as an inspiration of quality.
Below is a list of the main components and the companies that made them. I want to thank all of them for their wonderful work and craftsmanship.
RGM Founder,
Roland Murphy
Below are links to the USA manufacturers who made components for this special handmade bicycle.
Frame: ANT Bike (Mike Flannigan)
Fork: ANT Bike (Mike Flannigan)
Stem: ANT Bike (Mike Flannigan)
Wheels: Velocity USA
Hubs: Phil Wood
Spokes: Phil Wood
Freewheel: White Industries
Pedals: White Industries
Headset: Chris King
Saddle: Selle Anatomica
Crank Dust Caps: RGM Watch
Chainring/Crank: Paul Components
Frame Dropouts: Paul Components
Seatpost: Paul Components
Brakes: Paul Components
Brake Levers: Paul Components
The only main components on this bicycle that are not made in the USA are the tires, chain, and hand grips.
There’s a new RGM 151 available soon, it’s a 151-G with a matte green dial and rhodium sword hands.
We have partnered with Montague Bikes so that those who Pre-Order a 151-G and a Montague Paratrooper folding bike from RGM will get the following.
Special price on the watch/bike combo.- $4250.
FKM Florine rubber strap included at no charge.
Our highly rated Keystone Deployant clasp at no charge.
Bikes will ship in September, and watches will ship by November. Offer on stainless-steel 151-G version only. Paratrooper bike available in Medium 18” or Large 20”.
Contact: sales@rgmwatches.com or call 717-653-9799.
RGM Keystone Deployant
The 151-G goes nicely with the Montague Paratrooper, both are rugged and ready for adventure!
We wanted to work with Montague because like RGM they have a unique niche product and are passionate about delivering quality.
The 151 models have an American-made case in either stainless steel or titanium. Any stainless steel version can be polished, brushed, or a combination of both finishes. Titanium cases have a brushed finish only. The thin bezel and large dial are a hallmark of the 151 models, in fact, the dial is larger than watches of a much greater size. The case is thin for its diameter and curves comfortably to the wrist.
More about Montague:
Montague bikes are different, they use standard full-size wheels that millions of bikes use all around the globe. These wheel sizes have been chosen by countless riders and all major bike companies because they offer by far the best stability, rolling resistance, and obstacle clearance. The team at Montague only makes full-size folding bikes and has been doing it better than anyone since 1987.
Montague starts out with a full-size high-performance bike, and, without compromising performance in any way, reduces the size as small as possible. The result is a bike that rides as well as, or better than, comparably priced un-foldable bikes from large bike brands, but folds down small enough to fit in a car trunk, closet, bus, train, private airplane, or RV.
Montague’s design philosophy is that performance comes first
Gino Macaluso and Roland Murphy 2005/2006
This picture of Gino Macaluso and me (Roland Murphy) was taken back around 2005 or 2006 at a GP Dinner in New York, RGM did the service for Girard-Perregaux for 10 years before the majority of the company was sold after the untimely death of its Chairman and CEO, Gino Macaluso in 2010.
Hans Scholl former VP at Hamilton Watch Co.
I first met Gino back in the late 1980s when I was the technical manager in product development at Hamilton Watch company in Lancaster, PA. He would come over once a year and meet with my boss Hans Scholl who was the VP of product development, Hans came to Hamilton from Omega a few years earlier. Gino was at the time the distributor in Italy for Hamilton, Girard-Perregaux, and a few other brands. Hans and I would work on watch design projects with him developing Hamilton watches for the Italian market.
By the mid-1990s Gino had bought the majority of GP and was now in full control of a major brand. He had a good eye for watch design and brought the brand back into view by developing many new movements and watches, he was also able to get the Ferrari contract established making many models with them.
Of course, in 1992 I had left Hamilton and was working on my own small brand RGM, now that was 30 years ago, how time flies.
Ron Jackson
I did not meet Gino again until about 2003 when we started to do the GP service here in North America. Ron Jackson who was the US President for GP at the time contracted RGM to take on the GP Service. I knew Ron from our Hamiton days as we both worked there at the same time. So once again I was working with Gino. The watch industry can be a very small world indeed.
Gino had become a very important figure in the Swiss watch industry since buying the controlling shares of GP in the mid-1990s. As RGM was growing the service center alliances with brands like GP helped our company grow and gave us a good foundation of work as we developed our own watches. Even today we still do work for several smaller brands, as well as vintage and antique repair and restoration work. As of the writing of this blog here in 2022 we are busier than ever.
Phil Hill Back in the Day
If you look in the background of the picture with Gino and me at the top of this page, you will see a famous race car driver, American Phil Hill former F1 champion. He was one of only two American drivers to ever win the F1 championship, he passed away in 2008. Gino had a successful career in racing also, see below.
Stefan Johannson
In the early 1990s, Gino also made watches for Stefan Johannson former Formula 1 driver, Indycar, and Sports car racing legend. I also made watches for Stefan from the mid-1990s up to about 2009. Cars and watches seem to go hand and hand.
Gino with one of his many cars
I hope you found this little watch history interesting.
Regards,
Roland Murphy
RGM
From Wikipedia
Gino from his Racing Days
Luigi Macaluso, also known as Gino - 9 June 1948 – 27 October 2010, was an Italian rally navigator and manager. Together with Raffaele Pinto, he won the European Rally Championship in 1972 and the Italian Rally Championship with Maurizio Verini in 1974.
He was the chairman and CEO of the Sowind Group comprising Girard-Perregaux, GP Manufacture, and JeanRichard
EOT Fat Arrow Watch
In late 2021 Roland Murphy of Equation of Time watches (founder of RGM watches) collaborated with watch photographer and artist Atom Moore to create the first prototype of the Fat Arrow watch. With Roland’s knowledge of these iconic WWII military watches, they worked together to take the art and make it a reality. Honing the details to meld the creative play of the broad arrows on the dial-in Atom’s artwork into a true to size 36mm watch case. A big crown similar to the original was used along with sword-style hands. The railroad minute track is highlighted with luminous dots and bars on the hours. To add to the uniqueness of the physical watch a detail not originally there has been added. All of the larger “fat” arrows are lumed across the dial. Visible through the case-back is the Sellita SW210-1 with Geneva Stripes and radially brushed gears. A limited-edition of 99 pieces will be released later in 2022. Roland Murphy is the founder of RGM watches in operation since 1992 in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania. Equation of Time followed in 1998 to showcase watches designed with input from collectors.
Atom Moore’s Original Art
In 2015 acclaimed watch photographer Atom Moore created his first series of Mashup Watch Art. While working for AnalogShift in NYC he photographed many different variations of the “dirty dozen” British military watches. The use of the broad arrow on the dial was present in all variations of these watches, made by 12 different manufacturers, to indicate this was government property and for non-civilian use. A simple three lines were used to create the broad arrows but the variation between each one was the detail that inspired Atom. The title for the original art piece “Fat Arrow” is based on the more robust arrow coined by collectors of these World War II-era timekeepers. Atom has created dozens of Mashup watch art pieces since 2015 and has had several exhibitions of his signature metal prints. Most recently at the NAWCC The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors Museum in Columbia, PA, and the Watches of Switzerland Boutique in SoHo NYC.
Find more of Atom Moore’s photography and prints at www.AtomMoore.com and more about Equation of Time watches at www.Equationoftime.com.
RGM Model 25 - USS Constitution Leaving Malta in 1804 in Wood Marquetry
The third watch release for our 30th anniversary
The second RGM watch with a hand-made wood marquetry dial.
Limited to a maximum of 3 pieces
The Model 25 watches have an American-made case inspired by our larger Pennsylvania series watches. The case has ribbed sides, a beautifully contoured bezel, and is 40mm in diameter, with curved down lugs. The Model 25 fits most wrists very comfortably. The case was designed to highlight the dial with its large dial opening.
The art on the dial depicts the USS Constitution leaving the British Navy Shipyard at Malta, on November 1, 1804. The art features the departure of the USS Constitution following repairs at the Naval Dockyard during the Tripolitan war when the ship was granted permission by the Royal Navy to use Malta as a base. The art also captures the landmarks of the Grand Harbour and the profile of the later-to-be-named "Old Ironsides”. The dial beautifully denotes the long Naval association between Malta, the United States, and Great Britain.
Wood Marquetry is a decorative technique traditionally used on furniture, smaller wooden objects, and pictorial panels. Marquetry has its origins in Ancient Greece, where wooden objects were inlaid with different materials. The craft is a recent arrival in the watchmaking world which requires this work to be done on a miniature scale. When creating a dial with this technique, the marquetry-maker uses different woods in a wide variety of colors, then wood is cut and assembled according to the chosen design. This is a very demanding craft and requires a very talented artist.
Very few watchmakers offer this rare craft to their clients.
The second watch release for our 30th Anniversary year.
We have added another Railroad dial to the Model 222-RR series
Type 1 - Montgomery (Classic Marginal Minute Dial)
Model 222-RR (Railroad)
Inspired by America's Great Railroad Watches from the Past
The Model 222-RR is a modern wristwatch with a vintage heart, featuring a Hamilton 10-sized pocket watch movement. RGM was the first to use these wonderful classic movements in a wristwatch. Our vintage Hamilton movements are rebuilt using parts that are in optimum condition, including a new mainspring made for this movement. We flat polish the steel parts by hand on a tin block to better-than-original condition. The entire process of careful reassembly to precise adjustment of the movement is managed by one watchmaker. The grade 921 movement has 21 jewels and was made in large quantities; the grade 923 has 23 jewels and is rare, with less than 4,000 movements manufactured.
The Grand Feu Real Enamel dial is modeled after American railroad watches from the past. The blued-steel hands remain true to the classic form and the 1:30 crown position pays homage to early 20th century timepieces. It’s also very natural to read the time when worn on the left wrist.
New Dial Version - Type I - CLASSIC MONTGOMERY
Henry S. Montgomery was the General Watch & Clock Inspector of the AT&SF Railroad from 1896 to 1923. Mr. Montgomery patented his first marginal minute safety dial design Type I around 1906. This is the design that has inspired the new version of RGM’s Model 222-RR watch.
A Montgomery dial displays minutes 1-60 along the outer edge, with every fifth number in red. Some collectors say that a "true" Montgomery dial must have an hour number 6 visible inside the seconds’ register. Dials approved for use on the railroads needed to be functional and readable, even under adverse conditions. Most American watch companies used Montgomery dials on many of their railroad-grade watches.
Why is the crown at the 1:30 position?
During the Transitional Period from the early 1900s into the 1920s, some wristwatches appeared with the winding crown in this less common position on the wristwatch case. Some watch companies converted movements and dials that were originally designed for a pocket or pendant watch into a wristwatch by making the crown position on the wristwatch case at 1:30 or 2:00 O’clock.
Celebrating the unique look of those early wristwatches is the inspiration behind the RGM Model 222-RR. It also keeps the orientation of the sub-second in line with the 12 O’clock position thus preserving the original design of the railroad-style dial. And it’s just fun!
The latest issue of WatchTime Magazine has a 6-page review of the RGM Model 600-B. Issue June 2022
Roger Ruegger WatchTime magazines Editor-in-Chief spent time wearing the watch and testing it in real-world conditions.
Client’s original photograph
We had a client approach us with an idea for a watch with a picture of a sunset he took from his property, he asked if we could put this picture on a watch dial. The idea was when wearing this watch he could see his home view no matter where he traveled.
I suggested hand painting on mother of pearl inspired by his photograph, rather than using a photo. I explained that this would make a much higher quality presentation, and make for greater lasting value.
Next, we made artwork with a few options. He ultimately chose the one closest to his photograph with no added elements.
Artwork ideas
The RGM Model 25 was chosen as the starting point for this special custom watch, the Model 25 is an excellent versatile watch that we often use in custom projects. This particular watch is also fitted with a solid gold winding rotor made here at RGM.
Once the artwork was completed we choose an artist to do the hand painting on our MOP dial. We make many things here at RGM but we also partner with many artists around the world for specific needs, like in this case miniature hand painting.
The completed custom watch
The mother of pearl showing thru the sky and the beach elements of the scene give life to the background and really add to the beauty of the finished watch.
It is very satisfying when a custom project comes together and exceeds my expectations. this one did not disappoint!
Other artwork concepts
New Blue Dial option for our Vintage-Inspired Chronograph
The Model 600-B design was inspired by military and pilot chronographs of the 1960s and ‘70s. The dial’s military aesthetic makes it easy to read; the time and chronograph functions are legible with a simple glance at the wrist.
Each detail was carefully crafted to reflect the appeal of vintage military watches, including the general layout, and replicating numerical fonts to achieve a bona fide military chronograph look. The dial and hands feature X1 SuperLumaNova for low-light visibility. As an homage to vintage design, we opted to forgo including a calendar or display case-back.
The Model 600 and Model 600-B are the first RGM models with a box-style raised sapphire crystal, bolstering the classic design element and allowing for a slimmer profile.
2022 is our 30th Anniversary and we are happy to introduce our brand new RGM Keystone Deployant Clasp. This high-quality new clasp is available in 18mm and 20mm buckle sizes.
Hello RGM Friends,
I had to take a small woodpecker up to this center yesterday because it has an injured wing and could not fly. Red Creek Wildlife Center is one of the few that accepts almost any type of wild animal for rehabilitation care. They need support to keep the doors open, so please consider making a modest donation to them and to one of your local centers also.
You can make a PayPal donation thru their website below.
Thank you
Roland Murphy
RGM Watch Co.
New video from Art Insider about RGM Watch Co.
We have been working on a small video series about RGM. Enjoy this first video in the series. RGM’s founder Roland Murphy talks about the beginning of RGM.
Hunter Case with Engine-Turned Dial
RGM will mark its 30th year making watches next year in 2022. Overall those years we have made a lot of custom watches for our clients, but we never had a client order a pocket watch until the last few years. Then in the span of two years, we made 3 custom pocket watches each with our in-house 801 movement. We love working on new projects and creating watches for our clients, and working closely with them to achieve their vision while using our experience to make the best watch we can for them.
Open face with Engine-Turned Dial
Custom is not a cost savings way to buy a watch, but it is and can be a very special way to mark a time in your life or create the watch you have dreamed of. For those who choose to go down this road, it can be a very special opportunity to have a unique watch that will last for generations and can be handed down through your family.
Stars around dial to denote original 13 colonies
I have always loved pocket watches and I wondered for years why no one ever ordered one. Even if no one ever orders one again it’s nice to have worked on these special projects and created these lasting treasures.
Roland Murphy
NAWCC Podcast with RGM's Roland Murphy talking about Chess Legend Paul Morphy and his watch.
You can skip to the RGM portion if you want at 36:34
Here are the respective links: