George Daniels 100: A Historic Exhibition Celebrating The Master Watchmaker

Twenty-Two Watches, Including The Space Traveller I And II, Will Come Together In Singapore To Celebrate The Centenary Of One Of The Most Influential Figures In Modern Watchmaking.

The legacy of George Daniels will take centre stage in Singapore this November with George Daniels 100: The Genesis Of Artisanal Watchmaking, an exhibition presented by Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo and The Hour Glass. Bringing together 22 watches created by the legendary British watchmaker, the exhibition will form part of IAMWATCH 2026, celebrating the centenary of Daniels’ birth and his lasting influence on independent watchmaking.

Taking place from 12 to 15 November at The Singapore EDITION, the gathering will offer collectors and enthusiasts a rare opportunity to explore a significant part of Daniels’ work. Among the watches on display will be the Space Traveller I and Space Traveller II, reunited for the first time in an exhibition — a particularly meaningful moment given their historical importance and the rarity of Daniels’ creations.

George Daniels And The Art Of Hand-Made Watchmaking

Born in 1926, George Daniels is widely regarded as one of the most influential watchmakers of the modern era. A self-taught horologist, engineer and craftsman, he dedicated his life to preserving traditional hand-made watchmaking while finding ways to advance mechanical timekeeping.

The scale of his achievement becomes clearer when considering the number of watches he completed. During his lifetime, Daniels made 24 pocket watches and two wristwatches: the Four-Minute Tourbillon and the Spring Case Tourbillon. Each watch required an extraordinary investment of time and skill, with more than 2,500 hours needed to create a single piece.

Daniels also mastered 32 of the 34 disciplines traditionally associated with making a watch by hand. His book, Watchmaking, remains an influential reference for watchmakers and enthusiasts, documenting the techniques and principles behind his approach.

His work was not simply an exercise in preserving the past. At a time when the watch industry was increasingly turning towards quartz technology and industrialised production, Daniels continued to champion mechanical watchmaking as a field for individual creativity, technical progress and uncompromising craftsmanship.

The Co-Axial Escapement And A Lasting Influence

One of Daniels’ most significant contributions was the co-axial escapement, widely recognised as the first major development in escapement design since the lever escapement, introduced approximately two centuries earlier by Thomas Mudge.

The co-axial escapement was designed to reduce reliance on lubrication and support long-term precision. Daniels wanted to see his invention adopted by the Swiss watch industry, a goal that was ultimately realised through Omega.

However, his legacy extends well beyond a single invention. Daniels brought together technical innovation, design, finishing and traditional craftsmanship within a deeply personal approach to watchmaking. His work helped establish a path for independent watchmakers who would follow, demonstrating that mechanical watches could remain relevant through originality and continued development rather than industrial scale alone.

Space Traveller I And II: A Rare Reunion

One of the defining moments of the exhibition will be the presentation of the Space Traveller I and Space Traveller II together. Both watches were made in 1982 and represent two stages in the development of a remarkable idea.

The Space Traveller I was the original expression of Daniels’ concept and was sold soon after its completion. Daniels later regretted parting with it. Rather than simply recreating the first watch, he used the opportunity to develop the idea further with the Space Traveller II.

The second watch incorporated a chronograph capable of measuring both mean solar time and sidereal time, adding another layer of technical complexity to an already sophisticated mechanism. It subsequently became Daniels’ personal watch and remained with him until his death in 2011.

Their reunion is particularly significant because the two watches are not merely variations of the same design. Together, they illustrate how Daniels refined and expanded his ideas, revealing the evolution of his thinking through two closely related but distinct creations.

For collectors and historians, the opportunity to see both watches in the same place offers an unusually direct insight into the mind of one of modern watchmaking’s most important figures.

Twenty-Two Watches In Celebration Of A Centenary

The exhibition will bring together 22 watches from Daniels’ body of work, representing the greater part of what he completed during his lifetime. The full list of pieces has not been made public, but the confirmed presence of both Space Traveller watches already makes the exhibition a notable event for the watchmaking community.

Organised in the context of IAMWATCH, a gathering dedicated to independent artisanal watchmaking, the exhibition also reflects the continued relevance of Daniels’ philosophy. His influence can be seen in a generation of independent makers who place equal importance on mechanical ingenuity, traditional skills and individual expression.

To accompany the exhibition, Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo has produced a documentary exploring Daniels’ enduring influence through the perspectives of watchmakers who followed in his footsteps. Filmed in the Isle of Man, England and Switzerland, the film incorporates interviews and archival material from The George Daniels Educational Trust. Its first public presentation is scheduled for 14 November during IAMWATCH.

Exhibition Dates And Location

The George Daniels 100 exhibition will take place at The Singapore EDITION, in Singapore, as part of IAMWATCH 2026.

• Private View: Thursday, 12 November 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., by invitation only.
• Vernissage: Thursday, 12 November 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., by invitation only.
• Public Opening: Friday, 13 November, to Sunday, 15 November 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Location: The Singapore EDITION, 38 Cuscaden Road, Singapore 249731.

Following its presentation in Singapore, the exhibition is scheduled to travel to Phillips London in early 2027, with further details to be announced.

Celebrating The Past While Shaping The Future

George Daniels’ importance lies not only in the watches he made, but also in the way he approached the craft. By combining traditional hand-made techniques with a willingness to challenge established mechanical principles, he helped shape the identity of contemporary independent watchmaking.

Bringing 22 of his watches together for his centenary offers a rare opportunity to consider that legacy in its entirety. With the Space Traveller I and II reunited for the first time in an exhibition, George Daniels 100 promises to be a defining moment in the ongoing celebration of one of horology’s most influential craftspeople.

For more information, please visit the official Phillips website.

Explore the releases of 2026.