Story Highlight
– Two historic pocket watches to be exhibited together.
– Exhibition honors George Daniels’ centenary in Singapore.
– Features 22 watches from Daniels’ lifetime production.
– Space Traveller I and II are exhibition centerpieces.
– Documentary on Daniels’ influence premieres during exhibition.
Full Story
Two significant pocket watches created by the noted British watchmaker George Daniels will be showcased together for the first time next month at a major exhibition in Singapore.
In collaboration with Bacs & Russo and The Hour Glass, Phillips presents “George Daniels 100: The Genesis of Artisanal Watchmaking” to commemorate the centenary of Daniels’ birth.
Scheduled for November 12 to 15 as part of IAMWATCH 2026, the event will feature 22 watches crafted by Daniels, reflecting a noteworthy portion of his overall work.
Following its debut in Singapore, the exhibition is set to travel to the UK and will be displayed at Phillips in London in early 2027.
A highlight of the exhibition will be the rare reunion of the Space Traveller I and Space Traveller II pocket watches, both produced in 1982.
Daniels sold the original Space Traveller shortly after its completion and reportedly felt remorse over that decision. Instead of creating a simple replica, he designed the more intricate Space Traveller II, which features a chronograph capable of measuring both mean solar time and sidereal time. This second piece stayed in Daniels’ personal collection until his passing in 2011.
Often hailed as the father of modern independent watchmaking, Daniels (1926–2011) was a staunch advocate for traditional mechanical horology during a time when quartz technology was prevalent.
A largely hand-driven craftsman, he mastered 32 out of the 34 skills necessary for watch production and innovated the co-axial escapement, which is now widely used by Omega.
His contributions go beyond just technical advancements. His apprentice, Roger W. Smith, upholds Daniels’ watchmaking philosophies on the Isle of Man, while prominent independent watchmakers such as François-Paul Journe recognize his substantial impact.
Michael Tay, group managing director of The Hour Glass, remarked, “He proved that watchmaking could remain personal, inventive, and uncompromising, paving the way for future generations of watchmakers.”
Aurel Bacs, senior consultant at Phillips Watches, referred to Daniels as “the greatest watchmaker of the 20th century.”
In addition to the exhibition, a documentary produced by Phillips will debut, highlighting Daniels’ lasting influence on modern independent watchmaking. The film, shot across England, Switzerland, and the Isle of Man, includes interviews and archival footage from The George Daniels Educational Trust, with its premiere scheduled for November 14.
The exhibition will be open to the public from November 13 to 15, following an exclusive preview for invited guests on November 12. For collectors unable to attend in Singapore, the collection will be available for viewing when it moves to Phillips in London in early 2027.
