Model 801SW-COE
PRICES:
Model 222 RR:
$5,900 with 921 movement
and $7,900 with 923 movement
801SW-COE Corps of
Eangineers Sweep Second:
$10,900.
Model 25:
$6,450.
See www.rgmwatches.com
for more details.
Thus, in addition to the tours and watchmaking demonstrations, visitors to
RGM’s 25th anniversary celebration were the first to see the three new RGM
watches and the new Caliber 801SW, the firm’s fourth in-house movement.
The new movement adds a central seconds hand to the original RGM 801,
and it does so with a novel construction that includes a new mainplate.
Most movements with a center seconds hand have a wheel that is friction-
fit onto a pivot from the third wheel coming through the bridge, explains
RGM. This set-up requires that a watchmaker remove the wheel prior to
any maintenance or servicing of the movement. The new 801SW movement
instead has the third wheel and the sweep drive wheel on the third wheel
arbor. This double wheel sits under the bridge, eliminating the friction wheel
system. While the system requires more components in all, it requires fewer
steps to service. In addition, RGM says the resulting caliber will likely be even
more reliable than those calibers without this type of construction.
RGM has placed its new caliber inside a new 42mm RGM Corps of Engineer
(COE) model. The new RGM 801SW-COE watch appears similar to the firm’s
60 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | WINTER 2018
existing 801-COE, except for the large blued steel center seconds hand now
steps around a Grand Feu enamel dial. From the back you will see the collec-
tion’s characteristic bridges, which RGM notes are reminiscent of the Howard
Watch Company’s “Edward Howard” model from decades past.
NEW RAILROAD WATCHES
Murphy also introduced a new 41mm Model 222- Railroad (RR). Like other
models in the 222 line, the Railroad model features restored Hamilton 921
or Hamilton 923 slow-beat (18,000vph) manual-wind movements turned in
their case to place the crown at the vintage 1:30 position, a location favored by
many early 20th century railroad watches. The Hamilton 921 movement was
made in large quantities, RGM notes, while the Hamilton 923 movement is less
common, with fewer than 4,000 movements manufactured. Also, the finish
on the 923 is different than the finish on the 921.
The Grand Feu enamel dial on Model 222-RR offers a traditional rail-
road theme, which is not surprising as the series is modeled after American