There’s no such thing as overdoing the celebration of the impact of George Daniels on the horological landscape, especially in the year that marks the 100th anniversary of his birth. Coinciding with the opening of IAMWATCH in Singapore, a celebration of the modern independent watchmaking scene, a scene that would likely not exist if not for Daniels—Phillips and The Hour Glass are exhibiting 22 of his watches. That list, which hasn’t fully been made public, includes—for the first time—reuniting the Space Traveller I and Daniels’ personal Space Traveller II.
Photo courtesy Phillips and The Hour Glass.
The fact that there will be twenty-two of Daniels’ watches in one place is even more remarkable considering that, during his lifetime, Daniels alone made only twenty-four pocket watches and two wristwatches (the Spring Case Tourbillon and the Four-Minute Tourbillon) before the Millennium and Anniversary done with Roger W. Smith (not accounting for some other pieces that were made by Smith under Daniels’ direction). For acolytes of Daniels, lovers of horology, and people who appreciate once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, the exhibition in Singapore is something you can’t miss. Luckily, you’ll have at least two chances to see the exhibition.
Photo courtesy the George Daniels Educational Trust.
For even more context, the Space Traveller and Space Traveller II are particularly important watches in the annals of watchmaking history. Both were made in 1982; the first was made and quickly sold to a collector, but Daniels regretted the sale and wished he had one for himself. Instead of recreating the original, he took it further, adding a chronograph capable of measuring both mean solar and sidereal time. It became a watch he loved, cared for, and lived with until his passing in 2011. Even these two watches would make an incredible exhibition.
The first exhibition will be open to the public from Friday, November 13 to Sunday, November 15, 2026, from 11.00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Singapore Edition Hotel, where IAMWATCH is being held. It’s a chance to take in both the event itself, all the talks on offer, and the exhibition in one place. For those not able to attend, “George Daniels 100” will head to London in 2027, with more details to come.
Photo courtesy Phillips and The Hour Glass.
Photo courtesy Phillips and The Hour Glass.
For more on the “George Daniels 100” exhibition and IAMWATCH, visit the event’s website.
