It’s always a thrill when Roland Murphy, owner of RGM Watch Co. and longtime friend of the NAWCC, releases a new watch. Located in Mount Joy, PA, his workshop is only a 15-minute drive from the National Watch & Clock Museum in Columbia, PA. Murphy and his staff have been producing fine mechanical wristwatches for over 29 years.
His latest chronograph, the Model 600, takes the place of the retired Model 400 chronograph. While the Model 400 was inspired by the large, technical chronographs from the 1970s, the Model 600’s design was inspired by military and pilot chronographs of the 1960s and 1970s. The dial’s military aesthetic makes it easy to read, as the time and chronograph functions are legible with a simple glance at the wrist. Each detail was carefully crafted to capture the appeal of vintage military watches. The general layout and replication of the original numerical fonts achieve a bona fide military chronograph look.
The dial and hands feature X1 SuperLumaNova for low-light visibility. As an homage to vintage design, the company opted to forgo the inclusion of a calendar or display caseback. The Model 600 is RGM’s first production model with a box-style raised sapphire crystal, bolstering the classic design element and allowing for a slimmer profile.
When asked why he chose military watches from the 1960s and 1970s as his inspiration, Murphy said, “I like the clean look of those chronographs, and the classic layout of just a sub-second and 30-minute register.” No doubt, the Model 600 will be an important addition to RGM’s impressive portfolio of original mechanical timepieces.
Technical Specifications:
Movement: RGM-ETA/Valjoux 7753 – Swiss-made automatic chronograph, 27 jewels, 28,800 vph, Rhodium finish, Cote de Geneve
Power Reserve: 48 hours
Case: 316L stainless steel, water-resistant to 5-ATM, Raised sapphire box-style crystal
Diameter: 42mm
Height: 12.4mm at case edge and 14mm at crystal edge
Width between lugs: 22mm
Dial: Matte black with X1 strength SuperLumaNova, 30-minute register and sub-second
Hands: Classic Syringe style, X1 strength SuperLumaNova
Crown: Stainless steel double gasket with Keystone insignia
Strap: Classic pilot-style leather
Price: USD $4,250
Website: www.rgmwatches.com
