The currently available 801 series watches include the RGM PS 801 E, PS 801 ES, PS 801 S, 801 A, 801 E, and 801 S. The letters are merely descriptive and refer to terms such as “skeletonized, engraved, partially skeletonized, etc…” [Ed. note “PS” stands for “Pennsylvania Series” -thanks, SethGrenald] RGM also prides themselves on custom creations, so what you see on their website, for example, are mere guides which can be built upon. A new feature for 2013 are the “Keystone hands.” These are hour and minute hands tipped with the Keystone symbol which is iconic to Pennsylvania. Detailing on the dials is immaculate. If you compared an actual machine-engraved dial to something which is stamped or otherwise mass produced, you will see obvious differences.
We’ve discussed the caliber 801 movement before on aBlogtoWatch. There is little else new to say here aside from the fact that they continue to be attractive and made in the ol’ US of A. RGM doesn’t make a single version of the 801, but rather a few based on the same architecture. You’ll see that 801 movements offer various finishing styles (such as rhodium plated or gold) and a few other minor differences such as the polishing style. A newer option is the ability to get “wolf’s teeth” style winding gears. Not entirely sure what the benefit of these gears are, but we are told that they are more difficult to produce and were found on high-end historic American pocket watch movements.
The 801 is also entirely hand-finished and decorated. I believe that aside from a few small parts such as the hairspring, the entire set of parts to produce the 801 is locally made. The movement itself beats at 18,000 vph and of course is manually wound. Simple… but uniquely and very attractively satisfying.
While RGM 801 watches are traditional in their design, at 43.3mm wide in wonderfully polished cases, they have a very modern fit on the wrist. I really can’t say enough good things about the polishing of the steel cases. I imagine that RGM would also produce an 801 watch in a gold case if specially ordered. At 12.3mm thick, the cases are thin enough to wear with formal attire.
Aside from there being a bit of a waiting list, it is hard to think of negative comments to make about RGM. Personally, I’d love for them to produce a US made automatic movement-based watch. Though RGM says there are currently no plans for such a timepiece as they currently prefer to stick to traditional watches. The idea is really about their resurrection of practices long since dead or abandoned here in the US, and there is certainly a healthy market for that. American or not, these are timepieces worth appreciating – and the price is fair at that. RGM 801 watches retail from about $8,000 – $10,000. rgmwatches.com
