RGM should be applauded for their work producing such a
wonderful project. The tourbillon and 801 appear to be using largely 6497
components but i believe I had read Roland was planning to cut his own gears
later. Not that this matters for performance of the piece, I rather like the
6497 but I also like transparency. Love the Howard bridge designs in a modern
watch, really speaks to American watchmaking!
The overall aesthetic of the watch is great but as a watchmaker I am bothered
by the "Wolf's Teeth" addition. The new crown wheel in the tourbillon
and 801 seems to be just stacked upon the old crown wheel. I understand the
need to do so for maintaining the original winding pinion arrangement but I
would have liked to see something a little more refined for this price point.
I'm sure future projects from RGM will only get better and more interesting as
this young American brand helps to revive American watchmaking.
RGM Pennsylvania Tourbillon
RGM 801
As for previous American tourbillons:
Keith Hazelton, 1972 jumping hour, tourbillon conversion
George Thomas, series of 4 conversions on display at NAWCC
1983 - Waltham 83 ebauche with Omega 450 escapement
1983 - Jules Jurgensen ebauche
This is a Benz and Thomas #1/10 (a Swiss
collaboration with George Thomas) from 1985 - Waltham ebauche
1987 - 18s Carousel
Robert Doris
There also was the infamous Gene Clark
Gene Clark #4 (made1987-1991) Petro Cross detent, Geneva stopworks, and constant force escapement
The earliest American tourbillon, I am aware of, was attributed to A.H. Potter.
Yes Albert H. Potter made tourbillons (of which an exact number is not known) but one
is incorrectly attributed to him. I do not know if Albert H. Potter made his
tourbillons in America but I would imagine these were made in Switzerland like
most of his later pieces. A lesser known watchmaker of possible distant
relation made an earlier tourbillon that is often attributed to Albert H.
Potter.
Andrew H. Potter circa 1857?
Inclined tourbillon using George Reed's patented barrel with maintaining power, strainght line lever escapement with curved lever, Geneva stopworks
Wonder if Richard Daners or Grubel Forsey were aware of this old inclined tourbillon when developing their wonderful creations?
I’m sure you will see more American watchmaking in the coming years as there
are several interesting projects across the country. Keaton Myrick in Sisters Oregon
in working on something very cool and a self taught gentleman named Jere Mihalov (hope I spelled that correctly) is also attempting to
reproduce a George Daniels tourbillon design from scratch.
I look forward to further developments from RGM as well as the continued growth of watchmaking in America.
TCP