Lot 101: GEORGE DANIELS

GEORGE DANIELS A FINE AND RARE 18K YELLOW GOLD AUTOMATIC CENTRE SECONDS WRISTWATCH WITH DATE AND DANIELS SLIM CO-AXIAL ESCAPEMENT CIRCA 1999 MILLENNIUM • automatic gilt brass movement, slim co-axial escapement, mono-metallic balance, gold engine-turned skeletonised rotor, the movement plate with eccentric outer rim engraved with foliate decoration • silvered engine-turned dial, yellow gold Daniels hands, eccentric yellow gold chapter ring for time display with Roman numerals, yellow gold date ring with Arabic numerals, silver cartouches on either side signed Daniels and London • winding crown positioned between 7 and 8 o'clock, sapphire crystal display back • case hallmarked for London 1999 and engraved with initals • case, dial and movement signed • 18k yellow gold Daniels buckle • presentation case diameter 37 mm

Dr. George Daniels is recognised as one of the greatest watchmakers of the 20th Century. In 1981 he received an MBE for his services to horology, and more recently a CBE - the first watchmaker ever to receive such an honour. The current lot incorporates his patented 'Co-Axial' escapement which Daniels developed during the 1970s. The revolutionary escapement is designed to run unaffected by the deterioration of its lubricant. The Millennium wristwatches were made by George Daniels in a very limited series to mark the start of the new millennium. Hand-made, each piece is unique and slight variances can be observed whether in case metal, hands or decorative finishes. The prototype Millennium wristwatch and three further examples of the model were exhibited at the George Daniels Retrospective exhibition held at Sotheby's in July 2006, exhibits 33-36, pages 86-89 of the Exhibition Catalogue.