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Brand RGM Replica

RGM Introduces the “Chess in Enamel” For Its 25th Anniversary (And It Is American-Made!)

American-Made replica watches… Certainly a dream for many of our readers on the West side of the Atlantic. Replica Watches that are really made (meaning with parts manufactured and assembled in the US) are rare, too rare honestly – and the Shinola-gate is not going to help this issue. However, such a dream is possible, with a brand named RGM Replica Watch Co. – for Roland G. Murphy. The manufacture, which will turn 25 this year, celebrates this jubilee with a first replica watch, inspired by an also American-Made pocket replica watch, the RGM “Chess in Enamel”.

RGM Chess in Enamel American-Made Replica Watch

RGM Replica Watch Company was founded in 1992 by American replica watchmaker Roland G. Murphy. In the early 1980’s Roland enrolled in the Bowman Technical School in Lancaster, PA.  In 1986, he furthered his training in Switzerland when he was accepted by WOSTEP, The Replica Watchmakers of Switzerland Training and Educational Program. After WOSTEP he was hired by SMH to work in product development for the Hamilton Replica Watch Co. in Lancaster, PA. After a few years he was promoted to Technical Manager; he remained there until he started RGM in 1992. Ever since, Roland has been one of the few promoters of “American-Made” replica watches, something that became properly uncommon since Hamilton, Timex or Waltham are not active anymore (or at least not manufacturing anymore in the US). Roland creates movements, cases, dials and most of the parts in his workshops, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. 25 years after the inception of his brand, he still produces bespoke timepieces, such as tourbillons or vintage- and American-inspired replica watches.

RGM Chess in Enamel American-Made Replica Watch

1992-2017 – To celebrate 25 years of activity in the US, RGM starts the festivity with a first replica watch named the “Chess in Enamel”, a replica watch with historical background. In May 1859, American Chess Master Paul Morphy was presented with a pocket replica watch from the Testimonial Committee of the New York Chess Club as a tribute to his genius and worth. Morphy had recently returned from Europe where his dominant play gave rise to a hero’s welcome back home in America. The replica watch, made by American Replica Watch Company, was an elegant specimen of art and ingenuity. Unfortunately, it vanished sometime after 1921. Not much is known about what happened to the pocket replica watch given to Morphy and only the original dial survived – and it is now on display at the NAWCC Replica Watch and Clock museum in Columbia, PA, USA. It was here that RGM’s Roland Murphy first saw this unique enamel dial that he knew would one day be the inspiration for the RGM “Chess in Enamel”.

RGM Chess in Enamel American-Made Replica Watch

Just like the antique version, the new RGM “Chess in Enamel” is based on a white enamel dial, where all indexes or numerals have been replaced by various chess pieces representing the hours, and done in red and black. Again, as it was the case for the old pocket replica watch, the dial has 3 steps – one for the hour markers, one for the central part and one for the small second sub-dial. It is the first time RGM has released a double-sunk Grand Feu enamel dial in one of its models. As always with enamel dials, the result oozes hand-made – imperfections of the enameling process make the beauty of such dials – and it will last for decades.

RGM Chess in Enamel American-Made Replica Watch

The RGM “Chess in Enamel” features the typical case of the brand, with ribbed sides here done in stainless steel, and measuring 43.3mm in diameter and 12.3mm in height. The crown bears the “keystone insignia”, which can also be seen on the blued steel hands. The case is American-Made, and so is the movement. The Calibre 801 (which is also celebrating its 10th anniversary this year) is a tribute to antique movements made a US-based manufacture, Keystone Howard Replica Watch Company. Thus, don’t be surprised if this movement looks like being from another era. Still, it shows nicely designed bridges and very pleasant decoration, done by hand in Lancaster, Pennsylvania (like many of the components of the Caliber 801 are made in America). The movement, as the rest of the replica watch, can be customized.

RGM Chess in Enamel American-Made Replica Watch

The RGM “Chess in Enamel” will be a limited edition of 25 pieces, offered in steel (but also in gold and platinum by request). Price, for the steel version, will be USD 13,900. More details on www.rgmwatches.com.


Technical Specifications of the RGM “Chess in Enamel”

  • Case: 43.3mm diameter x 12.3mm height – 22mm lug width – American-made polished stainless steel (gold or platinum by request) – sapphire crystal on both sides
  • Movement: Calibre 801, in-house, American-made – manual wind – 2.5Hz frequency – 40h to 44h power reserve – hours, minutes, small seconds
  • Dial: double-sunk Grand Feu enamel dial
  • Strap: black alligator
  • Price: USD 13,900 (limited to 25 pieces)