George Daniels Millennium Co-Axial, Yellow Gold

The inception of the watch came about as a means to celebrate the acceptance of the Daniels Co-axial escapement by the Swiss watch industry. As such, the Millennium wristwatches were made using the first Omega movements to contain the escapement. The mechanism was heavily modified by George Daniels and Roger W. Smith (in Daniels' Riversdale studio), and was one of very few pieces made over a three year period. The Co-Axial was devised in the early 1970s and patented in 1980; its design, being based on a series of experimental escapements started in 1969.

The Co-Axial escapement was designed to improve the mechanisms’ long term performance by radically changing the nature of the escapement’s action. The Co-Axial was the first practical, new escapement since the invention of the lever escapement by Thomas Mudge in 1755, representing an important advancement in the dynamics of the watch escapement. By re-designing the function of the components during impulse, the Co-Axial escapement was (and remains today), virtually without sliding friction. As a consequence, unlike a conventional watch, the rate is unaffected by the viscosity of lubricants, which can vary constantly with temperature, humidity and age.

Sized at 37mm, the 18-carat yellow-gold case features straight lugs and a rounded, stepped bezel. The case-back is engraved, as well as bearing the traditional and maker's own hallmarks. The case has sapphire glass on the front and back.

The sterling silver, round dial has an outer chapter of hand-engraved, black minute markers - with a trench separating it from a second brushed chapter, displaying black Roman numeral, hour-markers. The centre of the dial occupies yet another, deeper section, with hand-turned, basket-work pattern. A cartouche at eight o'clock and five o’clock references “DANIELS” and “LONDON” in black engraving. Every part of a Daniels watch is individually hand-finished; including the slender, yellow-gold Daniels hands.

The self-winding movement is finished in the English style, with gilded plates and blued screws. Equipped with arguably the greatest British contribution to watchmaking; the Co-Axial Escapement, the movement is assured of outstanding time-keeping and long-term reliability. Performance is maintained by the 18-carat gold guilloche winding weight, contained within a highly-decorated outer plate.

Dr. George Daniels is recognised as one of the greatest watchmakers of the 20th Century. In 1981 he received an MBE for his services to horology, along with a CBE in 2010 - the first watchmaker ever to receive such an honour. The Millennium series was so named to commemorate the start of the new millennium.

Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment.

Closer look

Brand:	George Daniels
Model:	Millennium
Movement:	automatic-winding hand-made with Omega Co-axial
Functions:	date, hours, minutes, centre-seconds
Features:	sterling silver dial, display back, gold hands
Case:	37 mm 18-carat yellow gold
Crystal:	sapphire front and back
Bracelet:	brown alligator strap from George Daniels
Box & papers:	box, marketing materials and copy of the original receipt, supplied by the Daniels Trust