I met him in London!!! Was a meeting to discuss funding & going to wostep!!! Which I did in 95!!! And at the time there was a young lad working in our workshop, part-time has he was making his own watch!!! Unknown by the name of ROGER SMITH!!! Love this video! From poor beginning to rise to the top!! Inspirational!!!
The greatest watch maker of modern times. Some of his pieces at auction are now approaching £3m and I cannot see them stopping their upward trajectory to the tens of millions. This man had utter class and was a living masterpiece like the watches he painstakingly produced. I think we all know what he would have made of the UK today. It's better that he did not have to witness it..
This 30 minute film on George Daniels is a must see for all interested in horology and precision manufacturing. I too believe that the English people have a natural inbuilt ability towards technology past present and future. I wish I could have met George. If I ever get over to the Isle of Mann I will try and get an invitation to visit Rogers Smiths workshop. Absolutely fascinating. I do agree that buying such a beautifully made time piece just to have locked in a bank vault as an asset is truly shameful. It should be worn with pride!
Absolutely amazing. George was a good friend on my father's at a young age and yes it's true, George used to go to my grandparents house, holes in he's shows and all and my grandparents would feed him. My father said he was always taking things to pieces and putting them back together. He remained a friend of the family and attended my mum and dad's wedding. I remember seeing him as a young boy myself, but we lost touch when my father moved with he's job to Staffordshire. I took an interest in George as my father kept news cuttings about George. Eventually I found out he was living in the Isle of Man and wrote him a letter saying who I was and he new my father from a young age. I got a lovely letter back from him saying he remembers my grandparents and how kind the were to him and remembers my mum and dad getting married and when I was born in 1952. He also sent me some pictures of he's car collection and a signed copy of he's book, unfortunately he became frail and unwell towards the end then past away. A lovely rags to riches story of an incredible man who lived in Shrewsbury avenue, Kenton. Harrow as a boy.
If Daniels could make a watch that required a service every twenty years, why does a Rolex only manage a quarter of that? This is a fantastic insight into the work of a brilliant man. In the comments someone asks why Daniels moved to the Isle of Man. Perhaps it was to legally avoid UK death duties which were, and are, appallingly high.
"London the home of the handmade watch" I take it he later liked the Isle of Man more. LOL. Brilliant insight into the life of a multi talented genius. Cheers.
Incredible man! A perfect example of the English eccentric - but any arrogance here is tempered by the knowledge that he pulled himself out of a poor beginning by long hours of dedicated work. A vintage Bentley (of course) and what amused me most - a BMW bike ( of course). Once you've owned one of those, you can't ride anything else.
I believe he made a total of 37 pieces. I see a George Daniels wrist watch sold at auction in 2022. $4,000,000. I see another at $1,000,000. Think about it.
Amelita Galli-Curci, a popular opera singer of the early 20th century. He has a reissue of her recording of "Una voce poco fa" on a long playing record.
Amazing guy, but postulating the inherent superiority of his self-designed mechanical watches compared to electrical watches in the sole area of 'timekeeping accuracy' has really not aged well. Like, 'a 500,000 dollar Rolex has absolutely no chance in the world against a 1,49Dollar bargain-bin quartz watch from Walmart in the area of 'time accuracy'' - levels of having not aged well. Still, tanks for posting the video, it was a fun watch.
This is a very shallow thing, but his accent is a bit plummy for his upbringing. I suspect it has changed over time, and I'm sorry to say, It grates on me.
As you go through life, it is necessary to adapt to your circumstances, like a chameleon, otherwise, you would be forever a square peg in a round hole. (I know someone of Welsh origin, and a Welsh nationalist, who acquired a Welsh accent for the same reason.) No doubt George's parents did not speak as he did in this film, but then they probably didn't dress as he did, nor live in the same kind of surroundings, etc. etc.
Your attitude is dangerously close to the "know your place", "don't get above yourself" attitude that can wither the confidence of young people from humbler backgrounds in making use of their talents.
I can only recommend that you listen to a lot of footage of Londoners from the 1970s and before so that you dont assume that everyone spoke either with a hard cockney accent or tortured RP!!!
Compared to the cardboard one he had to makeas a kid it must have been phenomenal. He must have felt like a millionaire every time he played a record on it
"I am english and I am a nationalist" - that is why I move to Isle of Mann to avoid paying taxes. Well done man! - your acts speak of you more than your words. A selfish individualist that is what he was.
This is one of my favorite videos on UA-cam. I come back to it every few months and take something new from it each time. What a master craftsman and brilliant engineer.
Wow. What an inspirational man. I could listen to him talk all day and go to sleep with a smile on my face and a burning in my soul to build something with my hands. What an incredible man. I've been wanting his book for a long time and now I'm gonna go find a copy and order it as soon as I finish this. RIP George Daniels and thank you for leaving behind such an incredible legacy.
He eventually wrote his book (I have it and it is superb). He also started his school, his pupils continue making fine timepieces that keep his legacy alive. His revolutionary Co-Axial escapement lives on with Omega.
Eel I’ll reeeeeeeeeeee oiiiiiiiiiiioiiiiioeiii iiii reeeeeeeeeeee iii iiiiiiiii reee eeeeeeeee iii I Lee’s I reeeeeeeeeeee iiiiieiiiiiiiiiiii idea iiiiiiiiii a ieiiieiiiiiiiiiiiiieiiiiiiieiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiioyou I
I'm expecting that performance from my two Omega Seamasters 😆 they'll be around long after I'm gone. Omega is the only watch brand that adopted the coaxial escapement, quite begrudgingly i believe. Now its their biggest selling point.
This really is the missing part of the Daniels story. For me particularly what George says at the end struck true. All those horological opportunities abroad, and yet he remained true to himself in keeping traditional British watchmaking alive. To say I enjoyed this 30 minute clip was an understatement. It literally made the hair on my neck stand up, and lit that fire once again for me. Thank you Roger Smith for sharing such a wonderful piece of history.
Great stuff, I only found out about this guy a few days ago,but I have had a serious binge on everything about him...think it’s his book next for me,and I’m not even a watch dude!
I'm like you except I am a watch guy as in owning three Rolexes. I collect other things mechanical (antique and vintage electric fans) and fine figurines and chromographic prints. He's a fascinating person and undoubted genius in his field.
What a decent bloke, i loved what he said at the end, "im English and Nationalist" this attitude has been relentlessly attacked in the last 20-30 years and has been completely discouraged, these days to say such things, people would brand him a racist or a fascist, he's nothing of the sort, it a sad reflection of what we once had and have now irrevocably lost, all in the name of diversity
Unfortunately all is now lost. Daniel's would indeed be vilified and attacked for his general stance. It's better that he passed before things have gotten really bad.
His story is aspirational and heartwarming. What a great men! You have to admire how he casually rolls that mainspring into the barrel, as if he was Lucky Luke rolling a smoke with one hand...
I thought that, too. This film was made in 1975 or 1976, so the Linn Sondek, DUAL 701 or the Thorens TD124 and many other fine turntables were available. These hi fi components would have seemed much more appropriate for such a distinguished artisan.
Amazing, simply amazing. Real genius and passion at work. Fortunate are we the genius that is Smith & Daniels have found the watchmaker calling. One of my regrets in life is that I will likely never have the privilege to call one of their creations to call my own.
Inspirational drive, dedication and craftsmanship. His watches work for many hundred years and wait ... here comes another Windows update. How time has changed :)
Nice story everyone should enjoy this mans journey and his legacy how it is still alive and well and why. Great to be here enjoying this slightly aged film a documentary of time and the time keeper. Horology is my life a micro-machinist who makes watch movement parts no more and now enjoys the fine art of making his own micro machined parts for a watch movement? who knows, right now what it is I am here to enjoy is this man and the English place in horology history.
Roger do you know which of the 8 pocket watches George made is featured in this video? Is it maybe the Hornby or Sarah Jane? Not clear in the shots of the rear plate
That was really interesting film. I'd heard about his great watches and I'm glad to see he wasn't the dark obsessed creature I'd imagined but a good guy with principles. Thanks for uploading, I really enjoyed it
This fuckin guy was not only the greatest at his craft on earth, while alive, but also had a car collection to die for and it was already located on The Isle of Man! The only thing he could have asked for more would have been better weather on the isle
A fascinating documentary, presented in a simple, no-nonsense manner. Many thanks for this upload. What would George make of the present shambles in UK politics, I wonder? I don't think there is any doubt as to which side of the argument *he* would take, but then, he knew all about adversity and how to rise above it. In life, if you are anything other than a useless drag on the rest of us, you have to have something to offer, and George had it in spades, of course.
I seem to remember watching it when it was broadcast. I've often thought back to it. The level of his dedication, the genius of skills, and the solitary nature of the occupation captivated me.
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I met him in London!!! Was a meeting to discuss funding & going to wostep!!! Which I did in 95!!! And at the time there was a young lad working in our workshop, part-time has he was making his own watch!!! Unknown by the name of ROGER SMITH!!! Love this video! From poor beginning to rise to the top!! Inspirational!!!
Amazing story , congratulations !! I'm currently starting my watchmaking journey and saving up for a wostep education.
The greatest watch maker of modern times.
Some of his pieces at auction are now approaching £3m and I cannot see them stopping their upward trajectory to the tens of millions.
This man had utter class and was a living masterpiece like the watches he painstakingly produced.
I think we all know what he would have made of the UK today. It's better that he did not have to witness it..
An incredibly skilled man ...... he was off the scale !
A genius , full stop .
george daniel es el mejor de todos los relojeros del mundo saludos donde sea que este que dios lo tenga en su santa gloria saludos desde mexico
This 30 minute film on George Daniels is a must see for all interested in horology and precision manufacturing. I too believe that the English people have a natural inbuilt ability towards technology past present and future. I wish I could have met George. If I ever get over to the Isle of Mann I will try and get an invitation to visit Rogers Smiths workshop.
Absolutely fascinating. I do agree that buying such a beautifully made time piece just to have locked in a bank vault as an asset is truly shameful. It should be worn with pride!
I agree but in this day and age it would just get nicked.
Amelita Galli-Curci is the name of the opera singer he mentions, in case anyone is wondering
The superiority of a mechanical watch over an electronic watch never a truer word
This man is an absolute genius no doubt a treasure of the nation his legacy will live for ever he deserves a statue and should get one
Endlessly fascinating!
A joy to watch the Master at work.
This is one of the greatest things I've ever witnessed...
I smiled the whole way through this film. What a fascinating man.
Absolutely amazing.
George was a good friend on my father's at a young age and yes it's true, George used to go to my grandparents house, holes in he's shows and all and my grandparents would feed him. My father said he was always taking things to pieces and putting them back together. He remained a friend of the family and attended my mum and dad's wedding. I remember seeing him as a young boy myself, but we lost touch when my father moved with he's job to Staffordshire. I took an interest in George as my father kept news cuttings about George. Eventually I found out he was living in the Isle of Man and wrote him a letter saying who I was and he new my father from a young age. I got a lovely letter back from him saying he remembers my grandparents and how kind the were to him and remembers my mum and dad getting married and when I was born in 1952. He also sent me some pictures of he's car collection and a signed copy of he's book, unfortunately he became frail and unwell towards the end then past away.
A lovely rags to riches story of an incredible man who lived in Shrewsbury avenue, Kenton. Harrow as a boy.
@Ashton Ivan No ones cares at all. Now fuck off.
@Ashton Ivan I see these comments everywhere, why? Also, that's a huge invasion of privacy, why would you do that? Good luck with your relationship...
InstaBlaster...
What an amazing story and I hope you cherish those items
Outstanding, thank you for sharing.
Thank you for this treasure!
A magnificently impressive and inspiring gentleman.
Thanks! I enjoyed watching this!
If Daniels could make a watch that required a service every twenty years, why does a Rolex only manage a quarter of that? This is a fantastic insight into the work of a brilliant man. In the comments someone asks why Daniels moved to the Isle of Man. Perhaps it was to legally avoid UK death duties which were, and are, appallingly high.
If I am not mistaken, Rolex mentions their watches be serviced every ten years, not five
Thank you for posting this. This is a must view!
"London the home of the handmade watch" I take it he later liked the Isle of Man more. LOL. Brilliant insight into the life of a multi talented genius. Cheers.
Who wouldn't prefer the Isle of Man to London?!
All to do with tax :-))
Absolutely fascinating film of a genius watchmaker at work. Thank you R W Smith for sharing.
1975
Dang the accuracy of his movements are insane.
One word... Amazing 👍⌚
I have a signed copy of his book.
How did you get the book signed, he's dead?
El mejor relojero George Daniels
Captivant et instructif à souhait !
Wonderful... Thankyou for Sharing this..... More Please Roger.....
Great upload!
Good man .
Does anyone know when this documentary was made? Looks like early 70s
Ya seems about right early 70’s for sure!
Incredible man! A perfect example of the English eccentric - but any arrogance here is tempered by the knowledge that he pulled himself out of a poor beginning by long hours of dedicated work. A vintage Bentley (of course) and what amused me most - a BMW bike ( of course). Once you've owned one of those, you can't ride anything else.
Just think~ Daniels probably inherited back the watches he sold to his wealthy father in law. Lol hes a great business man
4:22
How old was he in this film ?
silky silk 3:44 He was 50 at the time of this being filmed.
I believe he made a total of 37 pieces. I see a George Daniels wrist watch sold at auction in 2022. $4,000,000.
I see another at $1,000,000.
Think about it.
who is the opera singer? ...nightingale?
Amelita Galli-Curci, a popular opera singer of the early 20th century. He has a reissue of her recording of "Una voce poco fa" on a long playing record.
cool stuff
£10 000 for a watch? OK, then. I'll have 2.
Amazing guy, but postulating the inherent superiority of his self-designed mechanical watches compared to electrical watches in the sole area of 'timekeeping accuracy' has really not aged well.
Like, 'a 500,000 dollar Rolex has absolutely no chance in the world against a 1,49Dollar bargain-bin quartz watch from Walmart in the area of 'time accuracy'' - levels of having not aged well.
Still, tanks for posting the video, it was a fun watch.
This is a very shallow thing, but his accent is a bit plummy for his upbringing. I suspect it has changed over time, and I'm sorry to say, It grates on me.
9gello yup,shallow,you said it.
As you go through life, it is necessary to adapt to your circumstances, like a chameleon, otherwise, you would be forever a square peg in a round hole. (I know someone of Welsh origin, and a Welsh nationalist, who acquired a Welsh accent for the same reason.) No doubt George's parents did not speak as he did in this film, but then they probably didn't dress as he did, nor live in the same kind of surroundings, etc. etc.
Your attitude is dangerously close to the "know your place", "don't get above yourself" attitude that can wither the confidence of young people from humbler backgrounds in making use of their talents.
shallow as fuck.
I can only recommend that you listen to a lot of footage of Londoners from the 1970s and before so that you dont assume that everyone spoke either with a hard cockney accent or tortured RP!!!
He may have made some of the best timepieces but his appreciation of engineering didn't extend to turntables, that Garrard is a shonky piece of crap.
Compared to the cardboard one he had to makeas a kid it must have been phenomenal. He must have felt like a millionaire every time he played a record on it
"I am english and I am a nationalist" - that is why I move to Isle of Mann to avoid paying taxes.
Well done man! - your acts speak of you more than your words. A selfish individualist that is what he was.
What an amazing man George was. Imagine if the country was run by people of his competence...
This is one of my favorite videos on UA-cam. I come back to it every few months and take something new from it each time. What a master craftsman and brilliant engineer.
Wow. What an inspirational man. I could listen to him talk all day and go to sleep with a smile on my face and a burning in my soul to build something with my hands. What an incredible man. I've been wanting his book for a long time and now I'm gonna go find a copy and order it as soon as I finish this. RIP George Daniels and thank you for leaving behind such an incredible legacy.
This man makes me feel PROUD to be British .
Excellent work ethic , & attitude.
Sadly this country is let down & deceived by successive governments.
He eventually wrote his book (I have it and it is superb). He also started his school, his pupils continue making fine timepieces that keep his legacy alive. His revolutionary Co-Axial escapement lives on with Omega.
Where can I get it?
@@themaicky3209in many modern omega brand watches. A simple search of co axial will come up with many results
What a wonderful reflection of the genius man George Daniels. Thankyou Roger for sharing this with us.
I love "If you service every 20 years it should last 400".
Eel I’ll reeeeeeeeeeee oiiiiiiiiiiioiiiiioeiii iiii reeeeeeeeeeee iii iiiiiiiii reee
eeeeeeeee iii I Lee’s I reeeeeeeeeeee iiiiieiiiiiiiiiiii idea iiiiiiiiii a ieiiieiiiiiiiiiiiiieiiiiiiieiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiioyou I
Reminds me of Trigger in only fools and horses with his brush xD
After 400 years no refund .
I'm expecting that performance from my two Omega Seamasters 😆 they'll be around long after I'm gone. Omega is the only watch brand that adopted the coaxial escapement, quite begrudgingly i believe. Now its their biggest selling point.
The one and only George Daniels. Master Genius
Thanks for sharing this video Roger.
Wonderful insight with lots of footage that I’ve never seen before.
Thank you
This really is the missing part of the Daniels story. For me particularly what George says at the end struck true. All those horological opportunities abroad, and yet he remained true to himself in keeping traditional British watchmaking alive.
To say I enjoyed this 30 minute clip was an understatement. It literally made the hair on my neck stand up, and lit that fire once again for me.
Thank you Roger Smith for sharing such a wonderful piece of history.
Fully agree. A master at work
Great stuff, I only found out about this guy a few days ago,but I have had a serious binge on everything about him...think it’s his book next for me,and I’m not even a watch dude!
I'm like you except I am a watch guy as in owning three Rolexes. I collect other things mechanical (antique and vintage electric fans) and fine figurines and chromographic prints. He's a fascinating person and undoubted genius in his field.
Rewatching ... The name Daniels is recognized Today ! After 400 year's no refund !!
The master at work wow he was just amazing
One of the greatest additions ever to the Isle of Man....
I had never heard his voice before the throat cancer before now, this is absolutely incredible. Thank you so much for sharing this!
Now that’s a man and his watch! Brilliant
One of my heroes.
To see where he started and finished in life is very inspiring.
I bet Daniels as a buisness is worth an absolute fortune today
What a decent bloke, i loved what he said at the end, "im English and Nationalist" this attitude has been relentlessly attacked in the last 20-30 years and has been completely discouraged, these days to say such things, people would brand him a racist or a fascist, he's nothing of the sort, it a sad reflection of what we once had and have now irrevocably lost, all in the name of diversity
Unfortunately all is now lost.
Daniel's would indeed be vilified and attacked for his general stance. It's better that he passed before things have gotten really bad.
That was wonderful. What a great man.
"Not much good making watches if people put them in bank vaults."
He uses his tweezers to place the hands!
While it was running....
His story is aspirational and heartwarming. What a great men!
You have to admire how he casually rolls that mainspring into the barrel, as if he was Lucky Luke rolling a smoke with one hand...
Wonderful. Only thing that struck me as odd was his turntable. How a precision watchmaker could live with a Garrard SP25 is beyond me😸
I thought that, too. This film was made in 1975 or 1976, so the Linn Sondek, DUAL 701 or the Thorens TD124 and many other fine turntables were available. These hi fi components would have seemed much more appropriate for such a distinguished artisan.
Compared to the one he made out of cardboard and a knitting needle it must have been a luxury every time he played it
@@Mark-lj1dj 😁
Amazing, simply amazing. Real genius and passion at work. Fortunate are we the genius that is Smith & Daniels have found the watchmaker calling. One of my regrets in life is that I will likely never have the privilege to call one of their creations to call my own.
My goodness his accuracy on his watches is incredible over and above chronometer rating
But after 400 years he will not guarantee... And not give a refund 🤗
Inspirational drive, dedication and craftsmanship. His watches work for many hundred years and wait ... here comes another Windows update. How time has changed :)
Yes this man is ay legend he brought bk horology to England 🏴 and his apprentice George smith to carry on frm him .
Nice story everyone should enjoy this mans journey and his legacy how it is still alive and well and why. Great to be here enjoying this slightly aged film a documentary of time and the time keeper. Horology is my life a micro-machinist who makes watch movement parts no more and now enjoys the fine art of making his own micro machined parts for a watch movement? who knows, right now what it is I am here to enjoy is this man and the English place in horology history.
Roger do you know which of the 8 pocket watches George made is featured in this video? Is it maybe the Hornby or Sarah Jane? Not clear in the shots of the rear plate
3:42 if George Daniels was 50 in this then it was filmed about 1976
Wonderful! What a guy!
Eccentric genius
What a fine man he was, watching him in his workshop is magic!
That was really interesting film. I'd heard about his great watches and I'm glad to see he wasn't the dark obsessed creature I'd imagined but a good guy with principles.
Thanks for uploading, I really enjoyed it
Yes Thankyou roger smith fr letting us see your friend and master in his work.
Wonderful, and thank you for sharing.
Great documentary!
Still can't get my head around how a son of a drunken carpenter could have such a posh accent.
Splendid video! An absolute gentleman.
This fuckin guy was not only the greatest at his craft on earth, while alive, but also had a car collection to die for and it was already located on The Isle of Man! The only thing he could have asked for more would have been better weather on the isle
Fascinating. How on earth did he get that kind of accuracy by hand?
That was fantastic, thank you for a very enjoyable half-hour watch.
His timepieces are sublime on every level just as Roger Smith's are.
Marvellous, 👏
Thank you, Roger. What a pleasant surprise!
Thank You for sharing this 🙏
Wonderful film of a true genius at work.
Just found your channel, subscribed. What a great man George Daniels was. That bloke Smith makes some nice watches too.
Teriffic!
What a beautiful man.
Truly inspirational in so many ways.
What a pretty unbelievable 👌
A fascinating documentary, presented in a simple, no-nonsense manner.
Many thanks for this upload.
What would George make of the present shambles in UK politics, I wonder?
I don't think there is any doubt as to which side of the argument *he* would take, but then, he knew all about adversity and how to rise above it. In life, if you are anything other than a useless drag on the rest of us, you have to have something to offer, and George had it in spades, of course.
What year was this film made please?
Around 1980 I guess...
I seem to remember watching it when it was broadcast. I've often thought back to it. The level of his dedication, the genius of skills, and the solitary nature of the occupation captivated me.
It must have been filmed in 1976 as the narrator states he was then aged 50 (born 1926).
I was delighted to learn the story of this brilliant genius. I love everything he did. I'm a big fan.
amazing & thank you
This video is a gem, Daniel's is an inspiration.