RGM Watch Company Introduces Caliber 801, An American Manufacture Movement

RGM Watch Company, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, has announced the creation of its first manufacture movement.  The hand-wound, 16-line caliber 801 is characterized by a strikingly open bridge structure, which is partially inspired by the high-grade pocket watch movements crafted by the Howard Watch Company.  

Beyond the fine finishing on the surfaces of movement and the blued screws, RGM has taken pains to ensure that many fine technical features of the 801 Caliber will correspond to high levels of traditional craftsmanship.  For example, the feet of the bridges are integral to the bridge itself, and the inside of the mainspring barrel is fully jeweled on its interior.  

Additionally, springs  employed in the construction of Caliber 801 will be milled from steel rather than manufactured from wire, a nod to tradition that recalls one of the 12 stipulations required for Swiss movements which hope to obtain the famous Geneva Seal.   Balance wheel frequency of the large, screw-adjustable balance is a traditional 18,000 alternations per hour.  

It is the intention of Roland G. Murphy, the passionate head of RGM, to offer connoisseurs the finest in exclusive American haute horlogerie.  While a few components such as the balance wheel, hairspring, and jewels are obtained from Switzerland, the production of the plates, bridges, and other components are all done in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, as are the machining, jewel setting, movement finishing, assembly, and adjustment.

RGM will manufacture approximately 75-100 examples of this movement in 2008, which will be presented in a 42mm watch crafted from stainless steel, to be available on either an alligator strap, or a matching steel bracelet.  The solid silver dials feature elaborate guilloche patterns, which are cut in the traditional manner on a rose engine; hands are of the "Breguet" style and are in blued steel.  RGM expects to offer clients bespoke guilloche dial patterns and movement engravings.