RGM Watches

RGM Watches

RGM is American watchmaking, done the old-school way — guilloché dials, in-house calibers, and classic designs built in a historic bank building in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

This isn’t a microbrand. It’s a true manufacture, run by one of the most respected names in independent horology.

If you believe craftsmanship still matters — and want your watch to be made by hands, not machines — RGM belongs in your collection.

A Little History

RGM was founded in 1992 by Roland G. Murphy, a trained watchmaker and WOSTEP graduate who wanted to bring high-end mechanical watchmaking back to American soil.

While most brands were outsourcing or chasing fashion trends, Roland went the opposite way: traditional Swiss methods, American heritage, and full vertical integration.

Today, RGM is one of the only watch companies in the U.S. making their own movements, cases, and hand-finished guilloché dials.

The company operates out of Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, just outside Lancaster — the original hub of American horology.

What Collectors Love

RGM is all about authenticity, quality, and craft. These are watches built with pride — and often to order.

Highlights include:

  • In-house movements — like the Caliber 801, with German silver plates, hand-beveled edges, and traditional striping

  • Engine-turned dials — made in-house using antique rose engines for true guilloché patterns

  • American-made cases — especially in the 801 and PS series

  • Custom builds — RGM offers bespoke services, from dials and hands to case engraving and commemorative pieces

  • Classically inspired designs — many nodding to Hamilton, Elgin, and railroad watch DNA

Popular models include:

  • 801 Series — the flagship: manual-wind, fully American-made movement, traditional styling

  • Pennsylvania Series (PS-801, PS-801-E) — formal, dress-oriented watches with heat-blued hands and guilloché dials

  • Model 151 / 222-RR — railroad-inspired pieces that honor classic American pocket watch design

  • Professional Pilot / Chronographs — more modern cases, but still with RGM movement finishing and assembly

  • Tourbillon — yes, RGM makes a legit American tourbillon — hand-built, limited, and spectacular

Why RGM Deserves a Spot

Because it’s the only independent American watchmaker producing in-house calibers and engine-turned dials at this level.

This isn’t marketing spin — it’s horological fact. The level of finishing, the vertical integration, and the commitment to traditional craft (without outsourcing to Switzerland)

puts RGM in rare company. You’re getting Swiss-level execution with a distinctly American soul.

Plus, Roland’s personal involvement in every step of the process adds a layer of trust and integrity that’s hard to find.

What’s Out There Now

RGM maintains a focused lineup with customization options available:

  • 801 Caliber series — manual-wind, 42–43mm, guilloché or enamel dials, full American manufacture

  • Pennsylvania Series — 40–43mm, engine-turned or skeletonized, with traditional hands and numerals

  • Model 151 / 222-RR — railroad chronometer styling, often with bold Arabic numerals and enamel-style dials

  • Chronographs — Swiss base calibers, decorated in-house, built to order

  • Custom Commissions — retirement pieces, U.S. military units, or one-off artistic projects

Prices range from $3,000–$45,000, depending on movement, case material, and customization. Pre-owned pieces are rare and tend to hold strong value among U.S. collectors.

Fed’s Take

RGM is the real deal.

The first time I held a PS-801 in-hand, I was floored. The depth of the guilloché. The warmth of the German silver plates. The clarity of the finishing — it’s exactly what you’d

expect from a Swiss indie… but it’s made in Pennsylvania.

If you’re into watches with a story, substance, and soul — and you want to support true American horology — RGM is an absolute must.

Check Out Our RGM Inventory

Delray Watch is always on the lookout for unique RGM watches — especially 801 series, Pennsylvania Series, and railroad chronometer models with engine-turned

dials or in-house movements.

Be the first to know when new RGM watches are available - subscribe for insider access here.