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After a couple of years, and not knowing how long ago, but ever since he quit to exhibit at Baselworld, I met Roland Murphy from RGM at the GTE 2012 again. It was a pleasure seeing him again and knowing he and RGM are still going strong.
The big news was that Roland told me about a new movement he was working on. It will be his third in-house and all American movement of which you can see pictures below: the Caliber 20, named after RGM's 20th Anniversary. The watch that will hold this movement will be launched this summer.
It is RGM's third in-house movement and their first with a Motor Barrel. "Top grade American railroad watches from the past had a "Motor Barrel", models like the Illinois Bunn Special, Hamilton 950, and others from great American watch brands."
"The "Motor Barrel" is an American invention and was used only on the highest grade models. The benefit of the design is that it reduces friction and wear in the mainspring barrel bearing surfaces, thus transmitting power more efficiently.
Here's a (rather blurry, sorry!) picture of the Caliber 801:
and the front of the watch:
And of course he showed me some stunning RGM watches from his collection:
The Pennsylvania Tourbillon, "Made in the USA".
RGM's new pilot watch: 801P Aircraft.
The dial is reminiscent of American Aircraft clocks of WWII (see the clock behind the watch)
Related link: RGM Watch Company
