An Island of Watchmakers

John Harwood, George Daniels and Roger W. Smith all have extraordinary links to the Isle of Man. We look at the island's watchmaking history.

From the Journal

John Harwood, George Daniels, Roger W. Smith and the watchmaking history of the Isle of Man

One of the things I've become more interested in since starting Vannin Watches is the watchmaking history of the Isle of Man.

I knew about George Daniels and Roger W. Smith, obviously, and I knew there was a connection with the Island.

John Harwood

The first name is John Harwood.

Harwood was born in Bolton in 1893 and trained as a watch repairer. After the First World War, he moved to the Isle of Man and worked as a watch repairer.

And this is where the story gets really interesting.

George Daniels

Then we get to George Daniels.

And this goes to another level.

If you're into watches, George Daniels probably doesn't need much of an introduction.

Roger W. Smith

Then we have Roger W. Smith. And Roger's story is probably the one that really shows how difficult proper watchmaking is.

While studying at the Manchester School of Horology, Roger went to a lecture given by George Daniels. That changed everything for him.

He decided he wanted to make a watch completely by hand. And I mean actually make it. Not buy a movement and modify it. Not order a load of components and assemble them. Make the watch.