American-based watchmaker RGM debuted their first in-house watch movement, caliber 801, in 2007. Today, after a year of development, they announced a new skeletonized version of the manually wound 801.
The RGM PS-801 Skeleton comes in a fully polished American made stainless steel case measuring 43.3 mm x 12.3 mm, with a 22 mm interlug width, and sapphire crystals front and back.
The dial is completely open and consists of a solid silver ring, set on top of the fully skeletonized mainplate of the movement, with black printed diamond-shaped hour markers, and Roman numerals at 12, 3, 9. In between the hours are printed black dots marking the minutes. Blued steel keystone hour and minute hands indicate the time.
At the top of the dial is a solid gold plaque, engraved with the RGM logo, filled with black paint, and secured by two darkened screws.
At the bottom of the dial is another solid gold plaque, with three rows of engraved, black filled numbers (0-20, 20-40, 40-60). This is a unique subsidiary seconds display, and as the blued three arm seconds hand rotates, each level of seconds, divided in to thirds, is apparent because each of the three arms is a different length.
Animating the hours, minutes, and subsidiary seconds indications is a low-beat 2.5Hz (18,000 vph) manually wound 19-jewel movement, with a 7-tooth winding click, and a maximum power reserve of 44-hours.
All of the components of the movement are hand finished using traditional techniques. The matte grain finish and polished beveled edges (anglage) on the bridges and main plate require many hours and considerable skill to accomplish by hand. The balance bridge is hand engraved and features a Swan neck regulator.
According to RGM, the PS-801-Skeleton inspiration was taken from skeleton watches from the early 20th century, which were “less ornate with clean lines and a functional aesthetic.” The watch case features large lugs and ribbed sides, made in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, as are most of the components.
Retail is $21,400 in stainless steel and $34,200 in 18K rose gold.
Learn more at RGM.
