A Nautilus with a Co-Axial escapement

[Ichiran]

@italianwatchspotter
@pieceunique_

During Daniels development of the co-axial, he was approached by Patek Philippe, “The most prestigious watchmakers in the industry” - Daniels. In 1979 Alan Banbery saw the prototype for the co-axial in one of George’s pocket watches and after some back and forth decided that Patek would make some prototype movements for a Patek pocket watch featuring the co-axial to test its efficiency. However all was not smooth sailing, during his visits to Patek George could sense some hostility from Patek watchmakers and felt “unpopular” which might be expected as British watchmaker trying to improve Swiss watchmaking. When George came to see the first prototype, the movement had failed due to Patek’s design but they wouldn’t budge on their philosophy of design. George then suggested a wristwatch is the way forward and Patek supported this and gave George their latest self winding movement that was only 2.5mm thick. This was a problem, George had envisaged a thicker movement. He now realises that Patek had played him and given him a seemingly impossible task. However, George didn’t earn the title of greatest watchmaker of the 20th century for nothing!

He redesigned the escape wheels and was able to remove a part and reduce the height. George was delighted to have outsmarted Patek’s chief of R&D and Patek now agreed to make 3 prototypes.

In 1982, Daniels received this reference 3800 fitted with the prototype movement and wore it everyday for 10 years until the self-winding movement failed, to which he applauded Patek that a movement so thin and delicate could last so long without attention. The escapement was still in excellent condition. In 1984, all the results were in and the other prototypes were not running so well, because Patek had altered George's design so much.



This Nautilus is currently housed in the London Science Museum. 

[77T]

What a story - Dr. Daniels definitely fit the model of "if you got it, wear it"...

Proof positive - check that unpolished bezel:



Thanks for sharing @Ichiran
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[Ichiran]

Originally Posted by 77T

Thanks for sharing @Ichiran

It's my pleasure
I would love to pay a visit to this museum one day.

[1William]

Interesting.

[Calatrava r]

How does a watch get the scratched up?

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by Ichiran

...Patek Philippe, “The most prestigious watchmakers in the industry”

Ah yes, the 1970s/80s. But PP blew it, George smartly worked with Omega, and the rest is HIStory. Am sure we are all truly grateful that horology has moved forward since ~50 years ago.

I'd estimate that George's coax design is now used in far more timepieces than Patek Philippe could have made, even at today's pace of mass production ~70,000 watches a year.

Thankfully, George's coax design is of great benefit to the world and ticking along in many timepieces all around the world.

[WatchTimes]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

How does a watch get the scratched up?

From being worn for at least 10 years and worn as a daily watch not one that way babied

[huncho]

Originally Posted by WatchTimes

From being worn for at least 10 years and worn as a daily watch not one that way babied

i mean in that photo he's clearly resting his wrist on a wooden drawer so...there's a difference between not babying and being careless, i would say that is careless. that will definitely cook bracelets quick and generally any watch that looks like that after only 10 years comes from people that rest their wrists on tables or bang them against stuff

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by huncho

i mean in that photo he's clearly resting his wrist on a wooden drawer so...there's a difference between not babying and being careless, i would say that is careless. that will definitely cook bracelets quick and generally any watch that looks like that after only 10 years comes from people that rest their wrists on tables or bang them against stuff

Wait, resting a watch on a wooden drawer is careless? Did I read that correctly?

What’s that make Patek in mineral hot baths 39 degrees Celsius.




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[huncho]

Originally Posted by GGGMT

Wait, resting a watch on a wooden drawer is careless? Did I read that correctly?

What’s that make Patek in mineral hot baths 39 degrees Celsius.




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weird comparison considering that's not even a watch on a bracelet + water isn't gonna scratch metal like resting it or rubbing it on things will. it's the same as when women wear a bracelet next to their watch which is ironically considered careless on this site is it not?

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by huncho

weird comparison considering that's not even a watch on a bracelet + water isn't gonna scratch metal like resting it on things like wood or flat surfaces will

This ‘destroys’ a watch? I’m trying to understand the notion.


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[huncho]

nvm, not gonna derail this thread