Difficult to define in a few paragraphs the work of this watchmaker of genius who knew how to raise watchmaking to the rank of a work of art. During his career he only realized 37 pieces himself, before producing the famous co-axial series of wristwatches to celebrate the Millenium, in collaboration with the talented independent watchmaker Roger Smith.
It was not surprising that the Sotheby’s auction house organizing the sale in London would call on Roger Smith for an introduction to George Daniels’ work through this small selection of timepieces. The latter describes with precision the importance of each of these pieces to put them back in their historical context.
From this first marine chronometer signed by George Daniels (lot 119) to the perfect mastery of the watchmaking art with his masterpiece the Space Traveler II (lot 121) we discover the work of this watchmaker who knew how to push back technical limits while inventing the co-axial escapement that is found in his latest series of wristwatches so called Millenium (lot 122).
But it is a remarkable piece that has attracted the expert’s eye, this replica of Breguet defined as the three-wheel timepiece, Breguet et Fils No. 3225, which speaks for itself about all the work by George Daniels and influence of the famous watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747-1823) in his work.
This work, which was carried out in 1968 with the approval of Mr Brown, owner of the Breguet house at the time, which issued at the time a Breguet certificate, testifies to the importance of Breguet in Daniels’ work. In many ways, this piece beyond its perfect realization is a starting point of the relationship between George Daniels and his illustrious predecessor, helping us to better understand his work and his vision of mechanical watchmaking.
Years later George Daniels wrote what remains today the reference book on Breguet, The Art of Breguet, in which a great number of experts would draw on the essential information for the understanding of Abraham Louis Breguet’s countless achievements. In Talleyrand’s phrase about Abraham Louis Breguet, “This devil of Breguet always wants to do that better than otherwise,” it can be said that George Daniels followed as well this maxim.
If two centuries separate them, it is obvious that the work of Abraham Louis Breguet was a source of inspiration for George Daniels who always knew how to push the limits of what was done in watchmaking until then. If we consider Breguet as the father of modern watchmaking, it is easy to say that Daniels contributed to the revival of mechanical watches during the upheavals of the quartz watchmaking crisis in the 70’s.
As an evidence his masterpiece the Space Traveler II (lot 121) was born in 1982, a year before the arrival of the famous Swatch, the Swiss Made quartz wristwatch that revolutionized the entire Swiss watch industry. The symbolic aspect of this watch goes well beyond such complicated components and it testifies the vision of a man which gave the best of himself to push the limits of traditional watchmaking.
If independent Swiss watchmakers are today’s superstars of the auction world and collectors are fighting fiercely to obtain these pieces with great complications signed either FP Journe or Philippe Dufour and so many others, they owe it to the vision of George Daniels who knew in difficult times always how to best focus on the art of mechanical watchmaking.
Beyond the complications that are very numerous on this watch, the Space Traveler II is a masterpiece in the history of watchmaking which certainly concentrates what is most noble in Haute Horlogerie. If the term Haute Horlogerie is used today to better define the quality and excellence in contemporary watchmaking, I would say that one could simply take the Space Traveler II to make it the perfect example.
George Daniels used this watch on very special occasions, so it is not surprising to imagine that it was for him the fulfillment of his life, a kind of Grail that had allowed him to exceed his own limits. And yet, he would not cease to question himself to discover and finally culminate in the ultimate accomplishment, the Co-Axial escapement which today equips almost all of Omega production.
One can easily understand the meeting years later between two geniuses, George Daniels and Nicolas Hayek, the latter founder of the largest watchmaking group in the world, having understood the importance of this Co-Axial escapement for Omega watches’ mechanical movements, flagship brand of the Swatch Group.
But the father of the Swatch who revolutionized the watch industry in the early 80’s to revive it from its ashes, had like George Daniels a visionary mind on the world of watchmaking and the challenges that are still today the cornerstone of its most successful achievements, namely to reconcile a world of traditions and innovations that must constantly turn to the various technical achievements to meet tomorrow’s challenges.
The meeting between George Daniels and Nicolas Hayek in the new millennium putting into practice the mass production of the Omega Co-Axial movements is no coincidence, since both had a common passion and admiration for Abraham-Louis Breguet, the secret garden of Nicolas Hayek for which he put all his energy to highlight the historical heritage, going up to make the replica of the famous Breguet No. 160 called “Marie Antoinette” in 2008.
George Daniels, a figure in the world of watchmaking, considered by many to be the greatest watchmaker of the 20th and 21st centuries, was always able to give his nobility to mechanical watchmaking, as evidenced by the selection in this auction: a chronometer, a pendulum, a pocket watch and wristwatch. Through his very small production, he surpassed traditional watchmaking and elevated it to the rank of a work of art.
Like many facets of his work which demonstrate that this watchmaker showed always the best in all areas, he explored as an artist all corners of watchmaking to highlight his passion for mechanics. An eminent and passionate watchmaker, he has given the best of himself to sublimate the art of watchmaking, his accomplishments continue still today through the foundation that bears his name to train tomorrow’s watchmakers.
Dr. George Daniels, Commander of the British Empire, who was also passionate about all kinds of different mechanics, such as automobiles, knew how to sublimate his art beyond the highest standards of his watchmaking profession, he elevated it to the rank of a work of art. Each of his works is unique, reflecting the vision of a man, his encounter with the world of traditional watchmaking, being the passion of his life.
Having met Roger Smith at the George Daniels sale at Sotheby’s in 2012, I remember that he never used the specific term “workshop” to talk about George Daniels’ watchmaking space at his home where he worked for years but rather that of “studio” meaning “artist’s studio”. Looking back on these horological masterpieces and remembering the precise terms used by Roger Smith, I now understand who George Daniels was, above all, an “artist-watchmaker” who raised his work to the heights of horological creation.