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RGM Pennsylvania Tourbillon Watch Hands-On

admin — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 07:01:52 +0000

The boys in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania have done us Americans proud. However, I found it ironic that I needed to see this American-made watch in Switzerland. This is the RGM Pennsylvania Tourbillon MM 2 watch. Almost all of it is made in American, including the case and much of the movement. Certain parts, like the balance spring, really make no sense to try to manufacture yourself. Designed after classic American pocket watches, the Pennsylvania Tourbillon is a handsome timepiece for discerning collectors and you don't have to be American to like it.

I previously wrote about the RGM Pennsylvania Tourbillon MM 2 watch here. There you will learn more about RGM, the technical specs, and other facts that I don't feel like repeating here. This is about my hands-on experience with the first-ever American made tourbillon watch. A while back, the US made a lot of watches. We bested Switzerland and brands like IWC were actually created when the US decided to outsource its watch-making to Switzerland - no joke.

Since those golden days, and the quartz crisis/revolution, the US has all but stopped making watches in any mass amount. While there are a number of small US watch brands, few do anything with movements. RGM, based in one of the watch hotspots of the US, made their first movement (the caliber 801) a few years ago. They have since followed up with the Pennsylvania Tourbillon. The movement is manually wound with a slow beat, large diameter tourbillon opposite an off-centered watch dial. The face of the watch is all about appreciating the movement - with its German silver engraved dial and exposed mechanics. A traditional movement throughout, it has a unique American flavor and design.

Finishing is impressive, and I like the high polish and design of the case. There is a small sapphire window in the side of the case for another view of the movement. The case is 43mm wide and comes in steel, gold, or platinum. While traditional, the movement and case do not feel boring. This is certainly a cool looking piece with a lot of inherent value and an air of quality. It isn't cheap either.

The price for the watch in steel is $75,000. Steep, sure, but this watch is hand-made and they don't make very many. The price goes up to $125,000 for the platinum case. RGM explained to me that most of their clients are Americans who feel a strong connection to the American brand and enjoy the craftsmanship. Of course, not everyone who buys one of these is American. RGM further explained to me that their business is going to be more focused on watches like this moving forward. Meaning more in-house made, classic designs that focus on beauty and artisanal work.

Overall, while pricey, the watch is well done. I love the style of it and it really does feels good on the wrist. The design is unique enough to be recognizable and I think RGM has a bright future ahead of them with pieces like this. Nice work all around. Next up, an automatic tourbillon. I hope.

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

RGM 151P Watch Review

phubbard — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 08:07:43 +0000

Some watches grab you immediately: a burst of color, eye-catching case shape, unusual hands or perhaps a new design. This RGM does just the opposite: at first look it's plain to the point of boring. Sparse dial, simple hands, simply shaped case, onion crown. More than most watches, though, the 151P rewards close study.

Beautifully polished case, an unusual stepped bezel and perfectly made onion crown. On the dial, notice that the minute track is four segments, with a lumed triangle at 3, 6, 9 and 12. The hour hand just reaches the step of the dial inset, the minute hand reaches out into the track and is the same length as the ultra-slim second hand. Hands and dial ink are a matched shade of off-white, and the dial is a deep matte gray.

Simple polished rehaut, no branding here. Notice also how RGM put the 24-hour indications inside the minute ring; perhaps the cleanest I've seen to date.

At 38.5mm by 9.8mm, this is a slim and light watch. The bezel is ultra-thin, making the watch face as large as possible.

The case finish is drop-dead gorgeous; a mirror or 'black' finish is one of the most difficult to achieve. Ask anyone who's tried to make their own telescope! Here you can see the simple lines of the case and lugs, evenness of finish and the screw-down stepped bezel that is one of the few flourishes.

The RGM came on a light brown Camille Fournet alligator strap, which I disliked. I put it on a spare Milanese mesh that I think suits the watch much better. With 20mm lugs, there are lots and lots of options to choose from.

Inside the 151P is a Top-grade ETA 2892-A2 automatic movement with RGM-logo rotor.

From the screwed caseback and non-screwdown crown, it's obvious that this is not a waterproof watch; it's rated to 50m but I'd recommend you keep it dry. This is, to me, a pilot-themed dress watch.

Sapphire crystals (flat and uncoated) front and back.

It wears magnificently. At 9.8mm thick, it's not Altiplano thin, but it still goes under the tightest cuffs with ease. Visibility is excellent, and legibility even better. At night, the hands and triangles are lumed with high-grade SuperLuminova, for an easy eight hours of reading. Oddly, and this is one thing I'd change, the only lume on the dial is the triangles, so at night reading the precise time is nearly impossible.

The watch wears super slim:

Yes, it's thin.

RGM is Roland G Murphy of Lancaster, PA. It's a small American company that makes 300-500 watches per year. From that, you can expect that no one else around you will have an RGM, and also that no-one will recognize it. A very stealthy nice watch. You can read an interview with Roland here with more background on the company. They've recently introduced their own in-house movement and tourbillon but the 151P sports the more affordable ETA 2892-A2. Timekeeping is chronometer-grade at -3 to -4 per day, and any watchmaker can easily regulate it.

List price on the 151P ranges from just under $2450 for the base model to $3750 for the titanium version. You can get it with or without date, and various combinations of logo and text. For what you get, I consider this a excellent value.

It takes some patience to warm up to the 151P. I think a lot of us are initially drawn to complex watches with color and shape, and that appreciating this simplicity takes time and effort. It reminds me of the craft museum in Kyoto, where you learn of the extreme care put into the simplest-seeming things, or maybe a Zen rock garden. The plainness makes for a versatile design; on a mesh it's a bit sporty, and on a plain black calfskin it'd go very well with a tuxedo. Just a classic, understated design.

Written by Paul Hubbard

RGM Pennsylvania Tourbillon MM 2 Watch

admin — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 08:37:00 +0000

I wasn't sure what to expect when I first laid eyes on the movement for this RGM Pennsylvania Tourbillon watch (which I discussed here). Sure the final version isn't much different than the preview I saw a while ago, but seeing it all put together with case, text, hands, and finishing is really satisfying. I feel a nice level of price seeing this timepiece, knowing it is all American. It really doesn't have too much to do with the fact that "we can do it." If Americans needed to build a tourbillon watch a while ago, we would have. This isn't an achievement in technology or engineering. Rather, it is a signal of our American appreciation in fine watches. That we care enough about good looking, traditional watches to invest enough to make our own. That for me feels good, and a positive sign that Americans are taking timepieces seriously again. A lost appreciation (to a large degree), that is coming back, bit by bit.

RGMÂ offers the Pennsylvania Tourbillon (made in Lancaster, Pennsylvania) in steel, gold, or platinum. And it is very expensive, but also hand-made. It costs $75k in steel, $95k in gold, and $125k in platinum. Pricey, but not out of the question when summing up its production process, and competition. This isn't just a tourbillon, but a finely made mechanical item.

Click on the link above to read more about the movement itself. I go over more of the details there. Functions include just the time and the tourbillon - which is quite large, and visually balances the off-center hour and minute dial. In all honesty, the movement is quite simple. No fancy tricks, complications, or features. Just a tourbillon that wouldn't be out of place in Ben Franklin's workshop. The 43.5mm wide case is highly polished with a think coined edging on the side of the case. There is also a small sapphire exhibition window on the side of the case for another view of the movement.

The finishing and decoration on the movement (which is also the dial) is impressive, and done in a very classic style. I haven't seen the watch myself, but I really look forward to personally examining it under magnification. It isÂ very good looking mechanical watch, and for some reason does in fact feel distinctly American. Part of that is because RGM based the design of the bridges and the decoration after classic American pocket watches.

While the Pennsylvania Tourbillon MM 2 watch is simple and manually wound, I can see RGM upping the ante a bit with future models that have more complications. The movement was likely designed in a manner that makes it possible to design additional complications on or around it.

RGM has also started a special "trade-in" programs for its customers. If you have enough spare RGM watches laying around, you might just have enough to get one of their tourbillons. You never know! You can visit their site for more details on that program.

See RGM watches on eBay here.

See RGM watches on Amazon here.

RGM EOT Sea3 Dive Watch in PVD

US $1,999.00

Genuine RGM CLASSIC 20 MM Stainless Steel Watch LINK

US $49.99

RGM 18K Yellow Gold Annual Calendar Chronograph Watch

US $8,999.00

RGM 175 Limited Edition Minute Repeater Tourbillon

US $125,000.00

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

The American Tourbillon: RGM Pennsylvania Calibre MM 2

admin — Wed, 05 May 2010 07:02:37 +0000

OK, so before you begin reading this I need you to start the above video of a choir rendition of "America the Beautiful." The video has some cheesy imagery of course, but interestingly sums up my swelling patriotic pride in America's first made (and designed) tourbillon movement. It is no surprise that this comes straight from Pennsylvania at RGM. The brand recently announced America's first made and designed watch movement (in a long time), and now its very first tourbillon. Hailing from Lancaster county, it is funny how this innovation in the American watch industry stems from a place where much of its population is living in the past. I am of course referring to the wealth of Amish that live out there.

It is an interesting framework for watch making in general. While new inventions and innovations are regularly announced from around the world, it is at its heart, a super retro industry. So for ultra developed America (relatively speaking) to finally come out with a complication it could have mastered a long time ago if it put effort in it is rather ironic. It speaks about our efficient and practical minds as Americans (before you go on a rant just think about it and how we have more or less rejected a lot of the "why do they do that" traditions of other countries"). This mentality often results in shunning fancy artisan work on a mass level like tourbillon movements that are more or less made solely for the sake of beauty, complexity, and tradition. A tradition that America has lost long ago, and is slowly regaining in certain communities.

The RGM Pennsylvania Tourbillon Calibre MM 2 movement is based on the RGM Calibre 801 (which itself borrows design elements from classic American made pocket watches - think prior to 1900). As a tourbillon the movement is lovely in design and decoration. RGM has created over the last several years a bona fide classic watch makers workshop. Though only recently has the brand been very interested in being serious movement makers. This is a direction the brand is moving in, in addition to creating beautifully decorated movements using classic guilloche machine engraving. Those wise in the ways of movements will quickly look at the Pennsylvania and realize that while it is similar to Swiss, French, or German movements, it has a uniqueness to the design, and looks to have elements taken from all parts of watch movement making history.

The movement is large and so is the diameter of the tourbillon. Material in the movement include German silver (not actually silver), gold, silver, and steel. It is made to be fitted into a 43mm wide case (available in steel or gold). Like some popular Swiss watches these days, the watch case will have a side mounted sapphire crystal near the tourbillon for a better view of the movement. While the watch itself hasn't been shown yet, I imagine that the dial will be very classic, and also have a large amount of guilloche machine engraving. The watches will no doubt feel similar to those decorated in Germany as Benzinger. Then again, you'll look at the movement as see the interesting "T" icon that represents Pennsylvania.

The final watch that will be the RGM Pennsylvania Tourbillon has yet to be released. It will be debuted in the middle of June though. While this isn't the most complex tourbillon in the world, it is nicely made with 100% American elbow grease. The first one ever, and better late to the game than never. So listen to "American the Beautiful" and think of those proud stars and stripes when looking at this new classic looking, thoroughly American calibre. Price starts at $75,000 for the watch in a steel case. $95,000 in gold, and $125,000 in a platinum case. Ask yourself, how much of a patriotic watch lover are you?

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

RGM 300 Professional Diver Mother Of Pearl Dial Watches

admin — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 13:29:06 +0000

This is potentially the newest version of the RGM 300 Professional Diver's watch. The 300 watch important as being American RGM's first diving watch, and most agree that it was well done. It is a sober looking tool watch with cohesive lines, and a thick parts the communicate strength and quality. The original 300 Diver had lots of merit, including different dial options and a cool Blancpain Fifty Fathoms like canvas strap, or a metal bracelet as seen in the images. The watch has an ETA 2892 automatic movement that sits inside of the massively thick stainless steel case that is water resistant to 2,500 feet (750 meters) and is 42.3mm wide. Everything on the watch looks easy to operate including the large crown and easy to grip rotating bezel.

So what is new for the RGM 300 watch? The mother of pearl dials of course. Two will be available including a standard white toned mother of pearl dial, and a blackÂ Tahitian mother of pearl dial. Both are impossible to photograph with any real appreciation for the colors, but this will no doubt be a good look. This isn't the first time mother of pearl has been applied to a diver's watch. The Hawaiian watch brand Bathys is well-known for doing this. I think that the RGM 300 with this dial is certainly interesting because as a functionally inspired timepiece it utilizes mother of pearl as a tasteful decorative element.

Price is on the higher side in my opinion, though it is competitive in comparable European diving watch. These custom models with the mother of pearl dials may carry a slight premium, but the standard models are about $3,500 for the watch with the strap, and about $4,200 for the 300 Pro Diver with the metal bracelet.

See RGM watches on eBay here.

See RGM watches on Amazon here.

VINTAGE DOXA AQUALUNG US DIVERS AUTOMATIC RETRO DIVER BLACK

US $1,300.00

BRAND NEW Custom Made FIFTY FATHOMS Homage Divers Swiss Automatic

US $695.00

Custom Made FIFTY FATHOMS Homage Divers Swiss Automatic w Domed Bakelite Bezel

US $675.00

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Sport

US $8,450.00

Blancpain 2250 Fifty Fathoms GMT SS SS 2250 1130 71

US $7,500.00

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 44mm Steel Antimagnetic Watch

US $9,900.00

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

New RGM North Pointer Professional GMT 254 Watch

admin — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 08:31:20 +0000

RGM makes watches in Lancaster County,Â Pennsylvania, which is a hub of American watch making. In fact, the majority of hands-on watch making that occurs in America today is in, or near Pennsylvania. A fact that strikes me as curious given the remote nature of some of these towns, but makes sense if you compare it to fine German and Swiss watch making towns. You'd be surprised to know that most of the independent watch makers in Germany and Switzerland are based in old farmhouses or alike building in tiny rural areas. take the famous Glashutte region, which is basically a one street village. I don't know why this is, but it must mean that watch makers don't like to be bothered. Thus, you'll find a lot of homegrown American watch making in what is essentially Amish country. Go Figure.

RGM is a special watch company in America because they produce one of the first American made watch movements to have been developed in a long time. This movement is not in all of their watches, as they mostly use Swiss movements. The rest of the watches are mostly made in America, from the case and dial parts. RGM is priced at the high end for American made watches, but is still reasonably priced by European standards. Now let's look at their newest model, The North Pointer Professional GMT model 254 watches.

The North Pointer is a nice no-nonsense watch. The moniker "professional" is apt, as this is a handsome watch fit for function. A Limited Edition Richard Sachs edition (only 20 pieces at about $3,500 each)Â is also available. Richard Sachs makes hand-built bicycles in Connecticut, and is highly applauded as a master bike maker. With a snug fitting rubber strap and easy to read dial, the RGM North Pointer makes a fitting cycling watch. Let's look a bit at the design of the dial. You'll notice it separated in to three concentric circles. The outermost circle serves to indicate minutes, then the middle ring is for the hours, and finally, the center ring serves to indicate the hours for the 24 hour GMT hand. This visual separation really assists with legibility, as do the large diving watch like hands. The watch also has a the date and an out of the way minimalist seconds hand. Overall the design reminds me a lot of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms and Aqualung watches.

The movement inside is a high-grand ETA 2893-2 that is modified a bit and decorate. This is ETA's best GMT movement. The case itself is 38.5mm wide and antimagnetic. It is also water resistant to 300 meters making it a viable diver's watch. In addition to the rubber strap, there are also various leather straps available. Continuing with its "customization" theme, RGM offers various hands for the North Pointer watch based on your tastes.

Then there is the "North Pointer" aspect of the watch and the large "N" on the GMT hand. This is more than just for show, but you can actually determine the direction of North with the watch. Actually, this is something that can be done with any such GMT watch if you can see the sun. OK, so you place the watch in a flat horizontal position (face of the watch facing the sky). Find the sun, and then point the regular hour hand of the watch toward the sun. The GMT hand should be pointing North. Pretty cool, but not necessarily unique to this watch.

The price for the non-Limited Edition RGM North Pointer Professional GMT watch is $2,950. Pretty decent price for the quality of this watch. I have a feeling in the future there will be a level of collectibleness, but never buy any watch because you think it is a good investment. That occurs only rarely. This is an emotional and functional purchase.

See RGM watches on eBay here.

See RGM watches on Amazon here.

VINTAGE DOXA AQUALUNG US DIVERS AUTOMATIC RETRO DIVER BLACK

US $1,300.00

BRAND NEW Custom Made FIFTY FATHOMS Homage Divers Swiss Automatic

US $695.00

Custom Made FIFTY FATHOMS Homage Divers Swiss Automatic w Domed Bakelite Bezel

US $675.00

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Sport

US $8,450.00

Blancpain 2250 Fifty Fathoms GMT SS SS 2250 1130 71

US $7,500.00

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 44mm Steel Antimagnetic Watch

US $9,900.00

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Return Of American Made: RGM Brings Back A US Made Watch Movement, The Caliber 801

admin — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:44:26 +0000

It has been a long while indeed since any mechanical watch movements have been made in America. Sure there are high quality American watch companies such as RGM, Kobold, Hamilton, Ball, and various small operations such as the Bozeman Watch Company and Ryser Kentfield, but buy mostly Swiss made movements and special parts. It was probably Hamilton that last made mechanical watch movements 30-40 years ago.

As an art almost lost in America, it took Roland Murphy of RGM watches to re discover watch movement making. To that extent, RGM is releasing the first American made watch movement, the Caliber 801, in a new line of watches to be available soon. The movement is a highly decorated, attractive three hand movement with a subsidiary seconds. It features 19 jewels and is manually wound. All but the most intricate parts are constructed and assembled in America.

RGM is located in Mount Joy located in Lancaster County Pennsylvania, which is coincidentally the place Hamilton watches stopped making their movements years ago. Lancaster and the surrounding region in Pennsylvania is a hot stop of American watch makers and designers. The art is slowly coming back, even though most of the parts are still Swiss. Makers like RGM and Kobold have made it clear that American designed watches have enormous appeal and marketability. The Caliber 801 based watches are certainly nothing to scoff at, costing between $7000 and $8000.

The message to American watch lovers is good, though the immediate outcome will be hard to determine. While the RGM Caliber 801 is certainly an achievement from a production volume and technological standpoint, it is nothing for Swiss or German makers to be weary of. It does however mean that more unique, unquestionably American watches will be produced, brining quality and precision watch at least some American manufactured items.

See RGM watches on eBay here.

See RGM watches on Amazon here.

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

The RGM Professional Automatic Diver (Model 300) By WatchReport.Com

admin — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:18:14 +0000

We've talked about American watchmaker RGM here before, and Roland Murphy's small company which produces exquisitely made high-end watches. It looks like RGM is now stepping into the very exciting world of professional dive watches with the new and beautiful RGM Model 300.

Click on the above text for the full article on WatchReport.com

RGM EOT Sea3 Dive Watch in PVD

US $1,999.00

Genuine RGM CLASSIC 20 MM Stainless Steel Watch LINK

US $49.99

RGM 18K Yellow Gold Annual Calendar Chronograph Watch

US $8,999.00

RGM 175 Limited Edition Minute Repeater Tourbillon

US $125,000.00