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“I earned the rare title of Off icial Rolex Watchmaker. There is only one other in the UK”
said, “not strong enough, do it again”. At the time I was very upset, but when I look back, he was quite right. They were very tough teachers.
You worked for Rolex after studying WOSTEP, didn’t you?
Yes, I nearly went to work for IWC. I was always a huge fan of the Mark X after I bought one on Tottenham Court Road. I can even remember what I paid for it: £17 10s 6d. It was all the money I had, but I knew I had to have the watch. I still have it to this day. The calibre 83 is such a beautiful movement. Instead, I went to Rolex and earned the rare title of Official Rolex Watchmaker. I know there are very few of us. I think there is only one other in the UK. While there, I also worked on my five hand project watch. I had seen a five hand watch in a book, but it was a generic rendering and not a watch that actually existed. It was this that provided the basis
for the current Peter Roberts Concentrique watch – the Grand Complication 5.
Returning to Hackney Technical College, this time as a lecturer, you taught some students who would go on to achieve critical acclaim – including Peter Speake-Marin and Stephen Forsey. Does this make you swell with pride?
I am very proud of what Peter and Stephen have achieved but I also remember some of my other students who have worked quietly in the background of the industry. They are not as famous, but are equally as impressive.
What are your favourite watches?
I have always liked chronographs, particularly the classic El Primero, 1969 Omega Speedmaster and Longines Calibre 30CH. The IWC Mk11 is also a firm favourite. They are elegant, functional, and beautifully designed.
Which timepiece trends have you identified of late?
I feel that watches might be returning to a more sensible size. There is also a trend towards using more and more new materials in watch movement manufacture – silicone, ceramics and so on. While these materials may have their technical advantages, their main future use will be to cut costs. For the best quality watches, classic materials such as steel, brass and nickel should be used. These remain the best.
Which watchmaker do you hold in the highest esteem? No question, it has to be the late George Daniels. He was the [most] individual watchmaker of the 20th century. When he started in the 1960s he did not have CNC machines and so on – he handmade all the parts himself and mastered all the skills. He is sadly missed, but his legacy lives on. peterrobertswatches.com
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